The death toll from a pedestrian suspension bridge collapse in India's western state of Gujarat increased to 134 on Monday. According to a local official, the majority of those who died were women, children, or the elderly, and the death toll is anticipated to grow further.
So far, over 177 people have been rescued, and police, military, and emergency response teams have been mobilized to search for survivors and bodies.
CCTV footage from just before the collapse showed a group of young men taking photos while others tried to rock the suspension bridge from side to side before they tumbled into the river below as the cables holding it together gave way. There was overcrowding on the bridge at the time as people celebrated the Diwali festival, officials said. The bridge in Morbi had been reopened just a week ago after repairs.
The 230m (754ft) bridge on the Machchu river was built during British rule in the 19th Century.
Police in the western state of Gujarat, where the accident happened, said they had detained nine persons after filing a criminal complaint against unnamed individuals responsible for the bridge's repair, maintenance, and administration. Security workers and ticket vendors are among those being questioned. However, the insiders refused to disclose whether executives from Oreva Group, the company in charge of bridge maintenance, are also being questioned.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos at the site, while crematoriums were running full on Monday.
So far, over 177 people have been rescued, and police, military, and emergency response teams have been mobilized to search for survivors and bodies.
CCTV footage from just before the collapse showed a group of young men taking photos while others tried to rock the suspension bridge from side to side before they tumbled into the river below as the cables holding it together gave way. There was overcrowding on the bridge at the time as people celebrated the Diwali festival, officials said. The bridge in Morbi had been reopened just a week ago after repairs.
The 230m (754ft) bridge on the Machchu river was built during British rule in the 19th Century.
Police in the western state of Gujarat, where the accident happened, said they had detained nine persons after filing a criminal complaint against unnamed individuals responsible for the bridge's repair, maintenance, and administration. Security workers and ticket vendors are among those being questioned. However, the insiders refused to disclose whether executives from Oreva Group, the company in charge of bridge maintenance, are also being questioned.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos at the site, while crematoriums were running full on Monday.
