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.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
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.
-
The manosphere: the shady online network of masculinists
The Explainer A new police report said a rise in radicalised young men is contributing to an increase in violence against women and girls
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How can we fix tourism?
Today's Big Question Local protests over negative impact of ever-rising visitor numbers could change how we travel forever
By The Week UK Published
-
Simone Biles: Rising – an 'elegantly paced and vulnerable' portrait of the gymnast
The Week Recommends Netflix's four-part documentary is more than a 'riveting comeback story'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
'Mother of all weddings': Ambanis to marry in world's most expensive ceremony
In the Spotlight Indian tycoon's son will tie the knot following months of extravagant festivities including performances by Rihanna and Justin Bieber
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
8 new cookbooks ready to make your summer hum
The Week Recommends The most special of Vietnamese food, Italian American baking for all and a primer on turning beloved cocktails into freezer versions of themselves
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
One great cookbook: Madhur Jaffrey's 'Vegetarian India'
The Week Recommends The 2015 tome will reshape how you think about both vegetables and Indian food
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
On the trail of India's wild lions at Sasan Gir National Park
The Week Recommends The sanctuary is a 'roaring' conservation success
By The Week UK Published
-
Kerala: one Indian state, four exhilarating ways
The Week Recommends The southwestern region pretty much has it all, from beachfront, to port metropolis, to verdant mountainside
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published