JAKARTA - The death toll from the collapse of a bridge in Gujarat, India rose to 132 people, a local government official told Reuters on Monday.
A pedestrian bridge over the Machhu River in the city of Morbi, filled with tourists enjoying holiday celebrations when the bridge collapsed on Sunday, causing people to fall into the river beneath.
"The number of victims who died in the incident of the collapse of the bridge reached 132. Search and rescue operations continue," said senior official NK Muchhar, adding that the number of victims could increase again, as reported by October 31.
Armed forces personnel along with national disaster management and emergency teams from nearby districts were deployed to track missing persons and assist rescue operations, Muchhar continued.
Previously, authorities said more than 400 people were inside and around the colonial-era suspension bridge when it collapsed. The bridge has attracted many tourists celebrating Diwali, or the light festival and the Chhath Puja holiday.
A team of five members was appointed to conduct an investigation into the disaster.
It is known that the 230-meter-long bridge was built during the reign of England in the 19th century. The bridge has been closed for renovations for six months and reopened to the public last week.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had directed the head of state ministers to immediately mobilize teams for rescue operations.
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