Suspension bridge collapses in Gujarat, India killing at least 132 people

A bridge has catastrophically collapsed in India, killing at least 132 people and sending dozens of people plunging into the water.

At least 132 people have died after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in India's western state of Gujarat.

At least 132 people have died after a suspension bridge collapsed in India, sending people tumbling into the River Macchu in Morbi town.

Authorities said 400 people including women and children — who were celebrating a religious festival — were on the bridge in the western state of Gujarat when cables supporting it snapped soon after dark.

At least 132 people have died after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in India's western state of Gujarat.

The rickety 150-year-old colonial-era structure crashed down into the river, plunging people into the water while others clung desperately to the wreckage.

“We have recovered 120 bodies so far. The toll is likely going to increase as the search operation continues,” P. Dekavadiya, the head of police in Morbi, told AFP by phone from the scene.

He said more than 130 people had been rescued.

The bridge over the Machchhu river around 200 kilometres west of Gujarat’s main city, Ahmedabad had only re-opened days several earlier after months of repairs.

“People fell on top of each other after the bridge collapsed. People had flocked to the bridge for rituals and because of the Diwali festival. Many children and women were among the victims,” one witness told local media.

News reports showed videos — which could not be independently verified — of people hanging onto what remained of the bridge or trying to swim to safety in the dark.

One horrific video, that was apparently taken days before the collapse, showed people appearing to purposely rock the bridge.

People trapped on the bridge over the River Macchu in Morbi town.

‘No certificate’

The suspension bridge, 233 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, was inaugurated in 1880 by the British colonial authorities and made with materials shipped over from England, reports said.

Broadcaster NDTV reported that it reopened on Wednesday after seven months of repairs despite not having a safety certificate, and that video footage from Saturday showed it swaying wildly.

Bridge Collapse In Morbi, Nearly 400 people Fell In the River And 30 People Dies. Pray for Morbi, Pray for gujarat. 🙏 #Morbipic.twitter.com/sGrJV2UnrX

— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) October 30, 2022

WATCH - Moments before the cable bridge collapsed in Morbi, Gujarat.#MorbiBridge#Gujaratpic.twitter.com/nnjNptAQPT

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) October 30, 2022

Authorities on Sunday launched a rescue operation following the collapse, with boats and divers deployed to search for missing people late into the night.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was touring his home state of Gujarat at the time, announced compensation for those killed and injured in the accident.

Older footage appeared to show people rocking the bridge.

Modi “sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue (operations)”, his office tweeted.

“He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and (for authorities to) extend all possible help to those affected.” The Gujarat government on its official website describes the bridge as “an engineering marvel built at the turn of the century”.

Accidents from old and poorly maintained infrastructure including bridges are common in India.

In 2016 the collapse of a flyover onto a busy street in the eastern city of Kolkata killed at least 26 people. Rescue workers pulled out nearly 100 people injured from under huge concrete slabs and metal.

In 2011 at least 32 people are killed when a bridge packed with festival crowds collapsed in northeast India, about 30 kilometres from the hill town of Darjeeling.

Less than a week later around 30 people were killed when a footbridge over a river in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh collapsed.

In 2006 at least 34 people were killed when a 150-year-old bridge collapsed on a passenger train in the railway station in the eastern state of Bihar.

- Andrew Backhouse and AFP