A nearly 100-year-old suspension bridge over the Machchhu River in Morbi, Gujarat, collapsed on Sunday evening, causing several people who were standing on it to fall into the water, according to officials.
The British-era suspension bridge on the Machchhu river was crammed with people when it collapsed around 6:30 pm. Several people standing on the bridge fell into the river. More than 78 people have died so far.
"I express my condolences to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in the tragedy. The state government will provide Rs 4 lakhs to the family of each deceased & Rs 50,000 to the injured, I'm reaching Gandhinagar after shortening further programs with PM. MoS Home has been asked to reach the spot & guide the rescue operations. Troops including SDRF have been mobilized for rescue operations, tweeted Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.
According to an eyewitness there were 500 people on the bridge at the time of collapse, the locals immediately rushed to help.
The bridge, which was recently reopened for public after renovation, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it.