At least 141 people died and many are still missing after a cable bridge collapsed in India western state of Gujarat. As many as 141 bodies were retrieved, 180 persons were rescued and still many people are feared missing till Monday, after a suspension bridge collapsed on the Machhu river in the Morbi town of Gujarat. Rajkot Collector Arun Mahesh Babu told the media that to reduce water level at the incident site, a check dam was demolished through a limited blast. Once the water recedes it will help the search team to search bodies. He estimates that the search operation is likely to continue for the next 24 hours. We are really saddened by the tragedy that happened at Morbi on Sunday, state Minister Brijesh Merja said, who was present at the incident spot.

The 230-metre-long (754 feet) colonial-era bridge was built during British rule of India in the 19th Century. Videos on social media showed dozens clinging onto the wreckage as emergency teams attempted to rescue them. Some survivors clambered up the bridge broken netting, and others managed to swim to the river banks. A video shot before the collapse showed it packed with people and swaying and many gripping the netting on its sides. Gujarat is the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has announced compensation for the families of victims. He said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy. The authorities have promised a full investigation.

Questions are being asked about whether safety checks were done before the bridge was reopened. It is a popular tourist attraction known locally as Julto Pul (swinging bridge). Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said a number of criminal cases had been registered over the incident. Prateek Vasava was on the bridge at the time of the incident. He told 24 Hours Gujarati-language news channel how he had swum to the river bank. Several children fell into the river, he said, adding: I wanted to pull some of them along with me but they had drowned or got swept away. Videos showed scenes of chaos as onlookers on the river banks tried to rescue those trapped in the water as darkness fell.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP