Videos emerge of major tourism attraction collapsing in India

Videos emerge of major tourism attraction collapsing in India

A century-old pedestrian bridge and popular tourist spot in the Indian state of Gujarat collapsed on Sunday evening, killing 134 people.

The New York Times reported that about 350 people were on and around the bridge when it collapsed. A large number of the people who died were children, women and older people, according to Indian officials.

The bridge was closed for renovations for seven months and reopened four days before the collapse.

A video from a local TV channel shows people swimming to a part of the collapsed bridge which sits in the water, while people struggle to sling on to the edge.

Small boats were seen working through the night to help with search and rescue, pulling bodies from the water.

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was in Gujarat, his home state, at the time and announced cash compensation for the families of those injured or killed.

“My heart is with the victims in Morbi,” Modi said.

“I have rarely felt this kind of pain in my life.”

The bridge was especially busy over the weekend due to Hindu festival celebrations drawing a large amount of tourists and families. The bridge was over capacity when it snapped, according to local media reports.

https://twitter.com/Xx17965797N/status/1587094844735987714

The private company which runs and sells tickets for passages across the bridge has come into question, particularly as to whether it decided to reopen the bridge without the proper safety checks.

State officials said they will investigate the matter and Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s junior minister for home affairs, said criminal cases have been filed in relation to the collapse.


Featured Image: Gujarat bridge collapse (AFP)

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