Indian police on Monday arrested nine people, all of whom were involved with a company that maintained the Morbi bridge, as they investigated the collapse of a footbridge that killed at least 141 people, many of whom were children.
The bridge, which had reopened just days before after being renovated, collapsed on Sunday evening, sending hundreds of people crashing into the river or clinging to the wreckage while crying for help.
According to senior police official Ashok Kumar Yadav, the nine were being investigated for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The colonial-era bridge over the Machchhu River was filled with holiday revelers on Sunday evening when it collapsed, sending people tumbling roughly 10 meters (33 feet) into the water.
CCTV footage saw a group of young men taking pictures while others attempted to rock the suspension bridge in Morbi from side to side moments before it collapsed. As the cables gave way, the men fell into the river below.
Ashwin Mehra, who was receiving treatment for injuries to his back and legs, recalled how he and six other people managed to reach the shore by clinging to the metal rails and nets of the bridge.
"There were about 15-20 boys aged between 20-25 years who were shaking the bridge," he told Reuters TV partner ANI. "...We heard some sounds three times, and the sixth time the cable (of the bridge) suddenly snapped."
Authorities immediately launched a rescue operation following the collapse, with boats and divers combing the river all night and into Monday.
Around 400 individuals purchased bridge tickets to celebrate the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities.
According to a list of the fatalities obtained by Reuters, around 35 of the deceased were under the age of 14. By the morning, around 170 individuals had been rescued.
"People were hanging from the bridge after the accident, but they slipped and fell into the river when it collapsed," said Raju, a witness who gave only one name. "I could not sleep the entire night as I had helped in the rescue operation. I brought a lot of children to the hospital."
The bridge was constructed with supplies shipped from England, according to accounts, and opened in 1880 by British colonial authority.
The "grand suspension bridge" is an "artistic and technological marvel" according to the Gujarat Tourism Department.
The bridge was shut down for months of repairs, according to Sandeepsinh Jhala, head officer of the Morbi municipality, but no safety certificate had been given out.
According to reports, the company at fault is a division of the Gujarat-based Oreva business, which also produces lighting goods and e-bikes and bills itself as the world's largest clock producer.
