Scores dead after India bridge collapse

At least 141 people have died after a pedestrian bridge over a river collapsed in India’s western state of Gujarat.

Local officials said there was overcrowding on the bridge at the time as people were celebrating the Diwali festival. It is believed that most of those who died were women, children or elderly people.

“Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali and they came here as tourists,” an eyewitness told Reuters. “All of them fell one on top of another. The bridge collapsed due to overloading.”

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Television footage showed dozens of people “clinging on to the cables and twisted remains of the bridge as emergency teams struggled to rescue them,” said The Guardian. “Some clambered up the broken structure to try to make their way to the riverbanks, while others swam to safety.”

The 230-metre (750ft) bridge, which was built during British rule in the 19th century, had been closed for repairs for six months and was reopened to the public last week.

The Times of India reported that the preliminary police report said the bridge was reopened for tourists despite the bridge maintenance agencies knowing that their “callous approach” to the recent renovation work may lead to human deaths.

“Questions are being asked about whether safety checks were done before the bridge was reopened,” said the BBC. Home minister Harsh Sanghavi said a number of criminal cases had been registered over the incident.

The families of the victims will receive compensation from the National Relief Fund, according to PM Narendra Modi, who said his “heart is filled with love and is with the families of those suffering”.