At least 68 people died and dozens of people were seriously injured after the collapse of a suspension bridge in the city of Morbi in the Indian state of Gujarat on Sunday evening.
The death toll has risen to 68, according to the Indian government, reports the Reuters news agency.
The Times of India writes that both politician Brijesh Merja and Rajkot spokesman Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya report that 60 people have died after the collapse of the bridge over the Machchhu River in Morbi.
Many of the dead are said to be children, women and the elderly, according to Kundariya.
According to another politician, Mohan Kunda, 100 are injured, writes the newspaper.
Images of the river also show people rescued from the water by small local boats.
Videos of the scene show people swimming, while others clinging to or climbing over the remains of the destroyed bridge.
News channel News 18 reports that nearly 400 were on the bridge when it collapsed, 100 of whom fell into the water.
In social media videos, it can be seen that much of the bridge is underwater and several people cling to and try to get closer to the mainland.
Reopened after renovation
The news channel Zee News writes that 500 people fell into the river crossed by the bridge.
The bridge was recently reopened after renovations, writes The Times of India.
Several boats, ambulances and rescue vehicles are to be sent to Morbi from Rajkot to assist in the rescue work.
Local authorities are mobilized in coordination and rescue work, according to the Union’s centrally elected Interior Minister, Amit Shah.
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The media society NDTV writes that hundreds of people ran and jumped on the bridge the day before it collapsed, and that as a result the bridge rocked violently. A video that VG saw shows people, but the date of the video and whether it is the bridge in question have not been confirmed.
ON Twitter The office of the Indian Prime Minister reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with the Minister of State of the region.
– He called for the rapid mobilization of rescue teams. He asked that the situation be carefully and continuously monitored, and that all possible help be given to those affected, writes the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
Promises compensation
In another Twitter message, the Prime Minister’s office promises money to mourners.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh offers his condolences:
– I am extremely saddened by the loss of life in this tragedy. My condolences go out to the mourners who lost their loved ones in this tragedy, Singh writes on Twitter.
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