FOG BLOG WORLD NEWS LOG: SUSPENSION BRIDGE COLLAPSE IN INDIA KILLS 80!

More than 80 killed in India as bridge packed with holiday sightseers collapses

• Suspension bridge collapses with more than 150 on it

• At least 81 killed, others struggled in water

• Rescue operation continues

AHMEDABAD, India, Oct 30 (Reuters) - At least 81 people were killed in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Sunday when a footbridge packed with sightseers enjoying holiday festivities collapsed and plunged them into the river below.

Reuters TV footage showed dozens of people clinging onto the cables and twisted remains of the bridge over the Machhu River in the town of Morbi as emergency teams struggled to rescue them.

Some clambered up the broken structure to try to make their way to the river banks, while others swam to safety. A number of children were among the victims. Prateek Vasava, who swam to the river bank after falling from the bridge, told 24 Hours Gujarati-language news channel that he witnessed several children drop into the river.

"I wanted to pull some of them along with me but they had drowned or got swept away," he said.

The bridge had collapsed in just a few seconds, he said.

Atul Prajapati, a medical officer at the state hospital near the disaster site, said: "We have found 81 bodies and the final rites process has begun."

Dozens of people were also injured, officials said.