International Desk: The death toll in the horrifying cable bridge collapse in India’s western Gujarat state increased to 141 on Monday, according to officials.

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A local official said most of those who had died were women, children or elderly. The bridge in Morbi had been reopened just a week ago after repairs.

Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s home minister, told that the death toll rose from 68 on Sunday to 141 early on Monday as search operations continued.

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Gujarat’s Information Department said about 177 people had now been rescued, while 19 were receiving medical care.

The bridge in Morbi, a town some 200km (120 miles) west of Gujarat’s main city Ahmedabad, was built during British colonial rule in the 19th century and had been closed for renovations for nearly six months before it was reopened to the public last week.

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Hundreds of sightseers celebrating Diwali and the Chhath Puja holidays, were on the 230-metre (755-foot) bridge when it collapsed on Sunday, according to local media.

Gujarat’s government said an investigation was under way into the cause of the disaster.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Gujarat, his home state, for a three-day visit, announced a payment of 200,000 Indian rupees ($2,428) to families of the dead.

The injured will receive 50,000 Indian Rupees ($607), he said in a tweet.

Sun News/MR

Death bridge collapse Gujarat increased

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