Dying toll rises to 135 in Indian bridge collapse as rescue operations proceed By Reuters

By Shivam Patel and Sumit Khanna

MORBI, India (Reuters) – The dying toll from an Indian foot bridge collapse rose to 135 on Tuesday with search operations getting into a 3rd day, though almost all these believed to have been lacking are actually accounted for.

The colonial-era bridge over the Machchhu River in Morbi was full of sightseers having fun with vacation festivities when it broke on Sunday night, sending individuals plunging about 10 metres (33 toes) into the water.

On the time of the collapse, round 200 individuals have been believed to have been on the bridge, which was 1.25 metres large and 233 metres in size – a part of celebrations for the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals.

“One one who was injured within the incident and admitted to the hospital succumbed to his accidents, taking the toll to 135,” GT Pandya, a senior administrative official in Morbi, instructed Reuters.

“Search operations have begun once more at the moment. We consider one particular person is lacking at current.”

Indian military, navy and nationwide catastrophe response groups continued search operations as locals gathered on the banks of the river close to the twisted stays of the bridge. It was initially in-built 1877 and had been closed for six months for repairs till final week.

Indian police arrested 9 individuals on Monday, together with ticketing clerks and contractors, as they examine the collapse of the bridge.