The death toll from the collapse of a suspension bridge in India’s western Gujarat state has risen to 141, according to an official.
Devendrasinh Jadeja, a senior fire department official in Morbi district, told Anadolu Agency the rescue operation continued overnight and the death toll has reached 141 as of Monday morning.
“The rescue operation is still going on,” he said.
Officials said the incident occurred on Sunday evening in the Morbi district when a British-era bridge collapsed just a week after renovation.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said early Monday that so far 132 people have died in the incident. At a press briefing, he said that a high-level team of officials is investigating the incident.
Local broadcaster NDTV said Sunday evening that there were around 500 people on the bridge when it collapsed. Those killed included 47 children, it reported.
The local administration in a statement said that “relief operations have been accelerated by the state government” and that the Indian military is also taking part in the rescue operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that he has also spoken to the chief minister of Gujarat about the incident.
“He has sought urgent mobilization of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected,” Modi’s office said on Twitter.
Meanwhile Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari sent his condolences to the government and people of India following: “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I wish to express my profound sorrow and sincere sympathy to the Prime Minister, families of the deceased, and the people of India following this tragic incident.”
