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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Amy-Clare Martin

Bridge collapse death toll in India rises to 134 as criminal probe launched

A criminal probe has been opened into the fatal collapse of a bridge in India as the death toll rose to 134.

Officials fear it could increase even further as hopes fade of any more survivors being found following the tragedy.

The 140-year-old Machhu River footbridge in the centre of Morbi town was packed with sightseers enjoying holiday festivities when it collapsed on Sunday.

Some 400 people had bought tickets to cross it during Diwali and Chhath Puja festival celebrations.

The structure had only reopened a week earlier following repairs.

Video footage from the site in the western state of Gujarat on Monday showed rescue workers in inflatable boats searching the river for bodies.

Officials fear the number of victims could rise even further (AFP via Getty Images)

One survivor told the BBC that he had been searching for his six-year-old sister since Sunday night.

He said: “I was holding her hand when the bridge collapsed and we fell into the river. I survived and have been looking for her everywhere, I went to the government hospital also, but my sister is nowhere to be found.”

Senior official NK Muchhar said: “The death toll in the bridge collapse incident has gone up to 134. The search and rescue operations are continuing.”

People gather as rescuers search for survivors after a suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi town (REUTERS)

The government has formed a five-strong team to investigate the disaster.

Police are said to have registered a criminal case against unnamed persons responsible for the renovation, maintenance, and management of the bridge.

Officers were questioning eight people in connection with the incident, a police official told BBC Gujarati on Monday.

Those being quizzed are all linked to the Oreva group, which is in charge of operating and maintaining the bridge that is hugely popular with tourists.

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