At least 132 people died and many were injured after a century-old cable suspension bridge collapsed into a river on Sunday evening in the Western Indian State of Gujarat, sending hundreds plunging in the water.
Authorities say, the 19th Century Colonial-era pedestrian bridge over the mach-chu river in the state's morbi district collapsed, because it could not handle the weight of the large crowd as the hindu festival season drew hundreds of people to the recently opened tourist attraction.
The bridge had been closed for renovation for almost six months and was reopened just four days ago. It was not immediately clear exactly how many people were on the 232 Meter long bridge, but officials fear the death toll could rise.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is in his home state of Gujarat on a three day visit says he was deeply saddened by the tragedy and his office announced compensation to the families of the dead and urged for speedy rescue efforts.
Survivors say, it was so densely packed that the crowd was unable to move to safety, when the cable strings began to snap.
