At least 60 people were killed and scores went missing after a nearly century-old suspension bridge on the Machchhu River in Gujarat’s Morbi city collapsed on Sunday evening, officials said. There was a rush of people on the bridge, which was reopened for the public just four days ago following the renovation work, when it snapped around 6.30 PM, they said. “At least 60 people have died in the Morbi suspension bridge collapse as our hospital has so far received that many bodies,” Superintendent of Morbi Civil Hospital Dr Pradip Dudhrajia said.

Gujarat Minister Brijesh Merja confirmed that around 60 people have died in the tragedy.

Eyewitnesses said that there were several women, children and others on the hanging bridge when it snapped, plunging them into the water below. Due to the Diwali vacation and being a Sunday, there was a rush of people on the bridge, which is a major tourist attraction.

A private operator had carried out the repair work of the bridge for nearly six months before it was reopened to the public on the Gujarati New Year day celebrated on October 26. A fire department official said that boats were being used to rescue people from the river.

“We are carrying out rescue work using boats. There are around 40-50 people in the river,” the official said.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said he was saddened by the tragedy.

“Relief and rescue operations by the administration are going on. The administration has been instructed to arrange immediate treatment for the injured. I am in constant contact with the district administration in this regard,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a tweet that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Gujarat, spoke to Patel and officials regarding the mishap.

“He (PM Modi) has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue operations. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected,” the PMO said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will soon reach the site of the collapse.

“I am deeply saddened by the accident in Morbi. I have spoken to Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home, Gujarat and other officials in this regard. The administration has been directed to provide immediate treatment to the injured,” Shah tweeted in Hindi.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)  rushed three teams to Morbi.

NDRF Director-General (DG) Atul Karwal told PTI that three teams have been moved from State Capital Gandhinagar and Vadodara. Another team will be airlifted in some time and it will move via road from Rajkot to the accident site, he said.

The teams comprise senior officers and rescuers, and they are carrying the required equipment, Karwal said.