The death toll in a suspension bridge collapse over a river in western India has risen to 141. Two more people are still missing, the news agency reported on Monday. local IANS, citing the police. Around 177 people were rescued, local broadcaster NDTV reported. Rescue work with boats continued.

The accident occurred Sunday evening (local time) in Morbi in the state of Gujarat. Many victims fell into the water. The footbridge over the Machchhu River was reopened last week after months of renovations, he said.

The building dates back to the 19th century, i.e. when India was a British colony. According to local media, hundreds of people were on the suspension bridge at the time of the collapse. Many of them performed rituals on the bridge in connection with the Hindu festival of Chhath Puja, during which a sun deity is worshipped.

According to reports, the bridge was not yet open

Photos and videos on social media show how many people are running on the bridge. Other shots show that the structure appears to be collapsing in the middle and people are hanging on to avoid falling into the water. Some cling to parts of the bridge, others swim to shore.

The cause of the bridge collapse was initially unclear, appropriate investigations were announced. A local official told NDTV that local authorities have yet to inspect the bridge after the renovations and give it the green light to reopen. The media said that the construction might not have withstood the load of the many people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office and the government of the affected state of Gujarat have announced compensation for the families of the victims.