At least 60 people have died after a cable bridge carrying hundreds collapsed into a river in India.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Sunday evening at the Machchu River in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
Several people were injured and trapped underneath the bridge after the accident, leaving officials to fear that the death count could increase.
The collapse occurred in Morbi, about 125 miles from the state capital of west Ahmedabad. The bridge had just reopened after undergoing renovation four days ago.
TV footage showed dozens of people clinging onto the cables and twisted remains of the collapsed bridge as emergency teams struggled to rescue them. Some clambered up the broken structure to try to make their way to the river banks, while others swam to safety.
Press Trust of India news agency reported the bridge gave way as it could not handle the crowd on it.
It is unclear how many people were on the bridge when it collapsed. However, local media reported that more than 400 people were on the bridge at the time of the collapse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted Sunday that he is “deeply saddened by the tragedy at Morbi.”
Rescue operations are “in full swing,” and assistance is being provided to those affected, Modi wrote.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the 230-metre historical bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century. It had been closed for renovation for six months and was reopened for the public last week.
Journalist Bhargav Parikh, based in Ahmedabad, said many tourists were in Gujarat because of religious holidays. The bridge is a tourist attraction that draws many sight-seers during the festive season when Diwali and Chhath Puja are celebrated.
Local media quoted officials as saying those on the bridge were performing rituals when it gave way.