At least 60 persons are feared dead while several others have been injured following the collapse of a hanging bridge across the Machchhu river at Morbi in Gujarat's Saurashtra region on Sunday evening.
Much before the NDRF and fire brigade teams reached the spot from nearby cities, the locals had begun rescue operations with the help of whatever resources they had in hand.
BJP MP from Morbi Mohan Kundariya told media that at least 60 people are feared dead. Majority of the victims are children, women and elderly people.
The state government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the mishap and also announced a relief package for the kin of the dead and the injured.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi are likely to reach Morbi later in the night. Former Congress state president Arjun Modhwadia was one of the first leaders to reach the spot. Modhwadia hailed the rescue operations carried out by the locals.
The death toll is expected to rise since a portion of the 750 feet long bridge is yet to be lifted using a crane.
An officer of the Morbi Municipality told media that the bridge was managed by Oreva Company, a private firm, and it was on the Gujarati New Year day last week that it was thrown open to the public after renovation and repairs. The company charges Rs 17 for using the bridge.
Sandipsinh Jhala, a fire officer of Morbi, told media that they do not have on record any fitness certificate given to the civic body. He claimed that they got to know only on Sunday that the bridge was reopened.
The over 140-year-old bridge has been repaired several times in the past. However, it was for the first time that the bridge collapsed.
Sanghvi said reports indicate that the bridge was overcrowded and there were around 150 persons on it at the time of the collapse. However, there are unconfirmed reports that there were more than 400 people.
The injured are being treated at nearby government and private hospitals.
A family that returned from Morbi on Sunday evening told a local news channel that they had complained about people shaking the bridge. The family had gone to the bridge in the afternoon when there were less people on it.
They said they had complained to the person at the ticket counter about the situation, but he told them that they have only two persons (to manage the crowd) and people would not listen to them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Gujarat, spoke to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. A tweet from the Prime Minister's Office said that Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue operations. He has also asked authorities to continuously monitor the situation, and extend all possible help to those affected.
Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal, who also is in Gujarat, took to social media and prayed for the well-being of people.
This was the first major disaster in Morbi since 1979 when a dam on the river failed and water flooded the Morbi town, killing over 1,400 people. The town is known for the ceramic industry and wall clocks.
The BJP has postponed the programme of get together of party workers scheduled on November 1. Prime Minister Modi was to address the page committee members in the programme.