Among the nearly 500 who were on it, the death toll from the collapse of a suspension bridge in India rose to 90

The death toll from the collapse of the suspension bridge in the western Indian state of Gujarat has risen to at least 90, according to a local official.

The collapse of the bridge, which dates back to the British colonial era and was restored last week, caused hundreds of people to fall into the river.

"The death toll has reached 90," Devendrasin Gadega, a senior official in the fire department, told Anadolu Agency, up from 77 previously announced this evening.

The official added that the rescue operation and the search for possible survivors were still continuing.

According to the local radio "NDTV", about 500 people were on the bridge at the time of its collapse, and there are still about 100 people stuck in the river waters below the bridge.

BREAKING: Bridge with hundreds of people collapses into river in western India pic.twitter.com/eRRIk0aMsS

— BNO News (@BNONews) October 30, 2022

Television footage showed dozens of people clinging to cables from the remains of the collapsed bridge over the Machu River in the town of Morbi as emergency teams scrambled to rescue them.

Some climbed trying to reach the banks of the river, while others swam to safety.

A number of children were among the victims.

Prateek Vasava, who swam to the river bank after falling off the bridge, told a Gujarat language news channel that he saw children falling into the river.

"I wanted to drag some of them with me, but they either drowned or were swept away," he added.

He also said that the bridge collapsed in just a few seconds.

The bridge is a tourist attraction that attracts many visitors to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, and Chat Puja.

The historic 230-meter-long bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century.

It was closed for 6 months for renovations, and reopened to the public last week.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a tour in his home state of Gujarat, announced compensation for the families of those killed and injured in the accident.

His office posted on Twitter that Modi had "requested an urgent mobilization of the teams for the rescue (operations)."

The incident comes ahead of elections due to be held in Gujarat by the end of the year, as the current term of Modi's ruling party ends in February 2023.