At least 132 dead in India as Victorian-era pedestrian bridge collapses, officials say

A 19th century pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchu river in western Gujarat state collapsed Sunday, killing at least 132 people and sending many more tot he hospital, state minister Harsh Sanghvi said. Authorities said the historic "hanging bridge" in the Morbi district could not handle the weight of the large crowd, estimated at between 350 and 400 people. The 755-fool-long bridge, a tourist attraction built in the Victorian era, was reopened only four days ago after more than six months of renovation.
The crowds were unusually large during the Hindu festival season. Most of those killed and injured were women, teens, and elderly people, officials said. Dozens of migrant workers from the Morbi district's factories were also on the bridge when it fell, The New York Times reports. The thousands of factories in the area make ceramic tiles, bathroom products, and wall clocks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to his home state of Gujarat, said he is "deeply saddened by the tragedy" and offered cash compensation to the families of the victims. The Gujarat state government, led by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, said it has formed a special team to investigate the accident.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Some local officials and opposition parties said the bridge may have been reopened too soon, and without the required safety certification. Gujarat is in the midst of a hard-fought election season; Modi's party has led the state for two decades, including 12 years when Modi himself was state chief minister.
This is the third major tragedy in Asia involving large crowds in the last month, The Associated Press notes, after Saturday's deadly Halloween crowd surge in Seoul, South Korea, and the Oct. 1 stampede at a soccer game in Indonesia.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'For frequent travelers, the costs add up'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Insects and sewer water: the alleged conditions at 'Alligator Alcatraz'
The Explainer Detainees at the center began arriving in July
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
What happened to Air India Flight 171?
Today's Big Question Preliminary report reveals 'fundamental reason' why jet crashed, but questions remain about whether it was 'deliberate, accidental or if a technical fault was responsible'
-
Anshu Ahuja's golden coconut and butter bean curry recipe
The Week Recommends Plump, creamy beans in a sweet, spicy sauce
-
How to go on your own Race Across the World
The Week Recommends The BBC hit show is inspiring fans to choose low-budget adventures
-
Ancient India: living traditions – 'ethereal and sensual' exhibition
The Week Recommends Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism are explored in show that remains 'remarkably compact'
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
One great cookbook: 'I Am From Here' by Vishwesh Bhatt
The Week Recommends Where India meets the American South meets I-want-to-cook-it-all
-
The 'vulgar' question causing outrage in India
Under The Radar Podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia under police investigation for "dirty" comment on YouTube show