New Delhi, Europe Brief News –A t least 134 people have died when a suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat, western India.
Search operations have been continued since Sunday.
About 177 people have been rescued so far, according to the information ministry, while 19 are receiving treatment.
The bridge which was built during British rule in the 19th century had been closed for renovations for six months. It was reopened to the public last week.
Hundreds of sightseers celebrating Diwali and the Chhath Puja holidays, were on the bridge when it collapsed on Sunday.
Footage from just before the collapse showed a group of young men taking photos while others tried to sway the bridge before they tumbled into the river below as the cables holding it together gave way.
Watch how a suspension bridge collapses in the Indian state of Gujarat.
At least 134 people died and dozens were critically injured in the incident, which happened in the town of Morbi on October 30 pic.twitter.com/GFRvyPBQRf
— TRT World (@trtworld) October 31, 2022
The government announced an investigation into the cause of the disaster amid rising protests.
It said more than 200 rescue workers launched the search and rescue operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting his home state Gujarat for three days, announced a payment of 200,000 Indian rupees ($2,428) to each of the families of the dead.
The injured will receive 50,000 Indian Rupees ($607), he said in a tweet.
