AHMEDABAD: At least 75 people were killed when a colonizer- period rambler ground over a swash in the western Indian state of Gujarat collapsed, plunging hundreds of people into the water, officers said.
Authorities said nearly 500 people were celebrating a religious jubilee on and around the suspense ground in Morbi when lines supporting it snapped, bringing the rickety structure crashing down into Machhu River.
The 230-metre-long ground, erected in the 19th century, was restarted last week after remaining closed for six months for addition.
The incident comes ahead of choices in Gujarat, which are anticipated to be held by the time- end with the current term of the Modi’s ruling party’s term ending in February, 2023.
television footage showed dozens of people adhering onto the lines and twisted remains of the collapsed ground as exigency brigades plodded to deliver them. Some scrabbled up the broken structure to try to make their way to the swash banks, while others swam to safety.
“Seventy five people have failed,” a quarter civil functionary said. He said utmost of them drowned. At least 30 people had also been injured, other officers said.
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi claimed over 150 people were on the ground, a sightseer magnet that drew numerous sight-foreseers during the gleeful season of Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who’s in his home state Gujarat for a three- day visit, said he’d directed the state chief minister to mobilise brigades for the deliverance operation.
