Police in India arrests 9 in connection with deadly bridge collapse incident

NEW DELHI

Police in India said on Monday that it has arrested nine people in connection with the deadly western India bridge collapse on Sunday evening that left over 140 fatalities.

On Sunday evening in the Morbi district of the Gujarat state, a British-era bridge collapsed just a week after renovation, leaving hundreds of people plunged into the river.

While the rescue operation is still underway, the local police said nine persons, including ticket sellers and company officials that renovated the bridge, have been arrested in the case.

"As we will get further evidence, we will arrest further accused in the case," Ashok Yadav, a top police official in the state told reporters in the evening.

Soon after the incident, while the authorities announced a massive rescue operation, including military and air force units, police launched a criminal case investigation into the deadly incident.

Early on Monday, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said at a press briefing that 132 people died in the incident and a high-level team of officials is investigating the incident.

Devendrasinh Jadeja, a senior fire department official in the Morbi district, however, told Anadolu Agency that the death toll stood at 141.

"The rescue operation has been stopped in the evening. It will resume again tomorrow (Tuesday) morning," he said.

Local broadcaster NDTV said Sunday evening that there were around 500 people, on the bridge when it collapsed, killing at least 47 children.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that he has also spoken to the chief minister of Gujarat about the incident.

"He has sought urgent mobilization of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected," Modi's office said on Twitter.

Modi, currently in the state campaigning for the upcoming assembly polls, canceled a roadshow on Monday and is scheduled to visit the incident site on Tuesday.

Türkiye on Monday conveyed its condolences to India over the deadly incident.

"We are deeply saddened to learn that many people lost their lives and were wounded due to the collapse of a bridge in the Gujarat state of India yesterday (Oct. 30),” said a statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The ministry extended "heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of India and to the families of those who lost their lives," and also wished a "speedy recovery to the injured."

Several other countries have also conveyed their condolences to India.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in his message said: "Kindly accept deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a collapse of the bridge in the state of Gujarat. Please convey the words of sympathy & support to families of the deceased and wishes of speedy recovery to all injured in this catastrophe."

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident of bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat. We extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the loss of I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident of bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat," Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said."We extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the loss of precious lives. Our thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families."

*Merve Aydogan contributed to this story from Ankara.