Bridge Collapse Amid Festival Crowds in India... "Over 80 Dead"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] More than 80 people died when an old pedestrian suspension bridge, built over 100 years ago, collapsed as people enjoying a religious festival in western India crowded onto it on the 30th (local time).

According to AP News and others, the suspension bridge crossing the Machhu River in Morbi, Gujarat state, western India, collapsed that evening, causing people enjoying the festival on the bridge to fall into the river. Indian rescue authorities reported at least 60 deaths from the accident, but foreign media reported that the death toll appears to have exceeded 80.

Most of the deceased are believed to have drowned, foreign media reported. The cables supporting the suspension bridge snapped just after sunset, causing the bridge to collapse within seconds, and the people on it fell into the river. Authorities estimate that about 150 people, including children, were on the bridge at the time.

Some citizens who fell under the bridge swam out, while others clung to cables and other bridge debris and crawled up the riverbank, barely surviving. One survivor told local media that they saw many children fall into the river and wanted to help them out together, but they were swept away by the current or drowned.

The bridge where the accident occurred is a pedestrian-only bridge 233 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, opened in 1880 during the British colonial era. It was reopened on the 26th after seven months of repairs, but local media NDTV reported that the bridge was seen shaking severely even on the 29th, the day before the accident.

In India, festivals such as Diwali and Chhath Puja are held every October to November. This bridge is considered a local tourist attraction that draws crowds during festival periods. About 400 people gathered near the bridge that day, and the accident appears to have occurred as tourists crowded all at once.

The Indian government stated that it is making every effort, deploying 50 navy personnel and 30 air force personnel to search for the missing. Local state governments have canceled all planned events nearby and are providing support funds to the families of the victims, CNN and others reported.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.