At least 132 people died in the collapse of a suspension bridge in the state of Gujarat, on the west coast of India, the head of the Interior of this Indian state said today in a new report.
“More than 200 people worked all night in the rescue and rescue”, operations that continue, Harsh Sanghavi stressed, at a press conference.
At least 19 people are hospitalized, the official added.
The previous official balance reported 120 dead, most of them drowned in the Machchhu river, over which the bridge was built, in the city of Morbi.
Morbi police chief P. Dekavadiya told Agence France-Presse news that more than 130 people had been rescued from the river.
Indian authorities estimated that 500 people, including children, were in and around the pedestrian bridge, performing religious rituals, when the cables supporting the structure gave way.
The 233-meter-long bridge dates from British colonial times and had been reopened to the public five days ago, after seven months of work, without authorities having issued a safety certificate, Morbi Mayor Sandeepsinh said. .Jhala.
“A criminal case was opened and today the police inspector general launched an investigation,” having set up “a high-level commission for the investigation,” Harsh Sanghavi said.
Divers, boats and dozens of soldiers were mobilized for search and rescue operations.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Gurajat state when the accident occurred, has already expressed his support for carrying out relief operations.
“I deeply regret the Morbi tragedy. I have already talked to the head of government of Gujarat about the accident. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing and all necessary assistance is being provided to victims,” Modi wrote on social media. Twitter.
Accidents on old and poorly maintained infrastructure are common in India, especially on bridges.
Both the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Augusto Santos Silva, sent messages of condolence and solidarity to the indigenous people this Sunday.
Source: TSF
