Rosemary Church (00:00):
Well, investigations are underway after a deadly bridge collapse in India on Sunday. Rescue crews, assisted by the Indian military, are scrambling to find survivors. At least 134 people were killed, including children, when the footbridge gave way, plunging dozens into the river below. Officials say the 19th century Bridge had recently been renovated. CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout is following this story. She joins us live from Hong Kong. So Christie, what’s the latest on this tragic bridge collapse in India?
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Well, Rosemary, since we last spoke, the death toll in India continues to climb. This recently renovated bridge, a suspension bridge, collapsed on Sunday in the Western Indian state of Gujarat. At least now 134 people were killed as a result, including children. The Home Minister of Gujarat State held a press conference earlier today and said that the government there had launched a criminal complaint against the agency responsible for the maintenance of the bridge. He also added that an investigation with a special team is now fully underway.
(01:08)
Authorities earlier said that they believe about 200 people were on this bridge at the time that it collapsed. That took place Sunday evening, 6:30 PM local time. And the video that we’re about to share with you is very disturbing and distressing to watch. This is video that’s been circulating on social media, and in it, you see the immediate aftermath of the bridge collapse. You see people clinging onto the cables and the twisted wreckage of the bridge, some trying to scramble to safer ground, others falling into the river’s water below to swim ashore. Many sadly did not make it, and tragically, many of the victims are children. Here’s an eyewitness.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali, and they came here as tourists. All of them fell on top of one another. The bridge collapsed due to overloading.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
And happening this day on Monday, search and recovering teams are combing the river to look for, to find any traces of the missing. This bridge was a popular tourist attraction. It was built in the 1800s during British rule. It had been recently renovated. It was closed down for a few months and then reopened last week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he is currently in Gujarat. That is his home state, and he has expressed his “deep sadness in the wake of this tragedy.” Back to you.
Rosemary Church (02:32):
Shocking situation. Of course, investigations underway to see what happened there. Christie Lu Stout joining us live from Hong Kong. Many thanks.