As search efforts entered their third day, the death toll following the collapse of an Indian footbridge reached 135; nevertheless, almost everyone who was thought to be missing has already been located.
When it collapsed on Sunday evening in Morbi, the colonial-era bridge spanning the Machchhu River was crowded with tourists taking part in holiday celebrations. People fell about 10 meters (33 feet) into the water.
Around 200 people were reportedly on the 1.25-meter-wide, 233-meter-long bridge at the time of its collapse as part of festivities celebrating the Chhath Puja and Diwali festivals.
According to GT Pandya, a top administrative officer in Morbi, “one guy who was injured in the incident and admitted to the hospital succumbed to his injuries, taking the toll to 135,” he told Reuters.
“Search operations have resumed today. At this time, we believe one individual is missing.”
Locals gathered on the banks of the river next to the twisted remains of the bridge while the Indian army, navy, and national disaster response teams resumed their search efforts. It was initially constructed in 1877, and up until this week, it had been shut down for maintenance for six months.
As they look into the bridge collapse, Indian police detained nine persons on Monday, including contractors and ticketing clerks.
