A British-era bridge in Indian state Gujarat's Morbi town has collapsed just a week after renovation, killing at least 35 people, according to Gujarat Minister Brijesh Merja. Search is on for more than 100 others, who have fallen into the river, after a bridge collapsed in India's western state of Gujarat, officials said. Hundreds have been plunged into River Macchu in Morbi town. Local footage shows people hanging off the partly-submerged suspension bridge. Reports say as many as 400 people were on the structure at the time. Authorities said rescue efforts were under way. It comes just days after the bridge was reopened following repairs. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in his home state of Gujarat on a three-day visit, said he was "deeply saddened by the tragedy". Videos show scenes of chaos as onlookers attempt to rescue those trapped in the water as darkness fell. Emergency responders from neighboring districts have been sent to the scene to help with rescue efforts. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 to the injured. The CMO also tweeted that Patel is leaving for Morbi to monitor the situation and review the rescue and relief operations currently under way. The PMO has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured. According to officials quoted by PTI, the bridge collapsed, as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it. The bridge was nearly a century old, and had only recently reopened after renovation. Modi had also assured help to the injured. The PMO tweeted that he had spoken to Patel, and "sought urgent mobilization of teams for rescue ops." He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected. The pre-Independence cable-stayed bridge, considered a marvel of British engineering, was called Julto Pool (swinging bridge in Gujarati) and was one of the tourist attractions of Morbi. The bridge collapsed at 6.42 p.m. this evening when around 500 people had congregated on it to perform some rituals in connection with the Chhath puja. The cable bridge in Morbi was renovated and reopened to the public on Oct. 26 — the Gujarati New Year. "Renovation happened last week. We are also shocked. We are looking into the matter... The government takes responsibility for this tragedy," Merja, Gujarat's minister for Labour and Employment told NDTV. The SDRF teams, fire brigades, steamers from Rajkot and Kutch have all made a beeline for Morbi. — Agencies
