At least 81 killed in Gujarat suspension bridge collapse: Media reports

At least 81 people were killed when a nearly century-old suspension bridge on a river in western Indian state Gujarat's Morbi town collapsed on Sunday, reports Reuters.

Meanwhile, other unconfirmed media reports put the death toll at around 90. They claim around a hundred people are still missing.

Rajkot constituency legislator (in Gujarat) Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya was quoted by ANI as saying that "more than 60 bodies have been found of whom many are children, women, and elderly".

Gujarat Panchayat Minister Brijesh Merja, who is present at the spot of the incident, also confirmed the death toll at sixty, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

#WATCH | Several people feared to be injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi area today

PM Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops, while Gujarat CM Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured pic.twitter.com/VO8cvJk9TI

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2022

There was a rush of people on the bridge, which was reopened on Machchu river for the public just four days ago following renovation work, when it snapped at around 6:30pm local time, said officials.

Authorities said more than 400 people were on and around the colonial-era suspension bridge at the time of the collapse. State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said more than 150 people were on the bridge itself.

Due to the Diwali vacation and today being a Sunday, there was a rush of tourists on the bridge, a major tourist attraction of Morbi town, nearly 200km from Gujarat's capital city Ahmedabad.

Eyewitnesses said that there were several women, children and others on the hanging bridge when it snapped, plunging them into the water below.

A private operator had carried out the repair of the bridge for nearly six months before it was reopened to the public on the Gujarati New Year day celebrated on October 26, 2022.

Ambulances arrive at a hospital following the collapse of a suspension bridge in Morbi, Gujarat, India October 30, 2022 in this screen grab obtained from a video. Photo: Reuters/ANI

A fire department official said that boats were being used to rescue the people from the river.

"Relief and rescue operations by the administration are going on. The administration has been instructed to arrange immediate treatment for the injured. I am in constant communication with the district administration in this regard," Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said.

The Indian Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a tweet that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Gujarat for electioneering, spoke to Patel and officials regarding the mishap and sought urgent mobilization of teams for rescue operations. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected, the PMO said.

Ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Gujarat goes to fresh assembly poll later this year.