At about 18:40 local time, a historic footbridge in the town of Morbi of the Indian state of Gujarat collapsed, plunging dozens of people into the Machuu River below. Local media outlets say that medical officer Atul Prajapati from a nearby state hospital reported that 81 bodies have been recovered already, and dozens more have been rescued. Authorities and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi reported that over 400 people were either on or around the suspension bridge at the time of the collapse, with an estimated over 150 people on the bridge itself. 

Currently, local emergency teams and a national disaster management team are working alongside 50 navy and 30 air force personnel to track missing people. 

The 230-meter-long (754 feet) colonial-era bridge known as "Julto Pool" was built in the 19th century during British rule, and has become a frequently tourist area. The bridge was closed for 6 months for renovations and only reopened to the public in the last several days. Though the cause of the collapse is still unknown and under investigation, local authorities suggested that overcrowding because of Diwali and Chhath Puja festival holidays could have played a role in the incident. Meanwhile, some politicians suggest that the load bearing capacity may not have been thoroughly assessed before it was reopened last week. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, and stated that those injured and the families of those killed would receive compensation over the incident. The bridge collapse comes before state elections in Gujarat, which are expected to be held by the end of 2022. Currently, Prime Minister Modi's party is in power in Gujarat state, with the term ending in February of 2023. 

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