A pedestrian bridge in Morbi, India, built in 1877, collapsed on Sunday evening, sending some 400 people plunging about 10m into the water. The bridge reopened last week after repairs. 

CCTV footage from just before the collapse showed a group of young men taking photos while others tried to rock the suspension bridge from side to side, before they tumbled into the river below as the cables gave way.

The colonial-era bridge over the Machchhu River was packed with sightseers enjoying holiday festivities. 

"There were about 15 to 20 boys aged between 20 and 25 years who were shaking the bridge," a senior police official said. "We heard some sounds three times, and the sixth time, the cable (of the bridge) suddenly snapped."

He said nine people had been arrested, including managerial staff, ticketing clerks and three security guards, for failing to regulate crowds before the bridge collapsed.

Two people awarded a contract to repair the structure were among those arrested.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from the state where the disaster occurred, is due to visit the small industrial town on Tuesday.

Local officials told Reuters that Oreva, the company that was in charge of the bridge, had not informed the authorities that it would be reopened, adding that no certificate that it was fit for public use had been issued.

The Indian Express newspaper quoted an Oreva spokesperson as saying: "While we are waiting for more information, prima facie, the bridge collapsed as too many people in the mid-section of the bridge were trying to sway it from one side to the other."

Some 400 people had bought tickets to get onto the bridge to celebrate the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals.

About 35 victims were under 14, according to a list of the deceased seen by Reuters. About 170 people had been rescued by the morning.

"People were hanging from the bridge after the accident, but they slipped and fell into the river when it collapsed," said a witness. "I could not sleep the entire night as I had helped in the rescue operation. I brought a lot of children to the hospital."

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Narendrasinh Jadeja, whose friend lost seven members of his family, including four children, said: "I cannot express how angry and helpless I am feeling."

Senior government official N.K. Muchhar said the death toll had gone up to 134. Another official said at the site that the river's muddy waters were hampering rescue work and that there might be people trapped under the remains of the bridge.

The bridge was previously maintained by the local municipality, which limited the number of people on the bridge at one time to 20, he said.

Modi, the former chief minister of Gujarat, expressed his condolences to the victims' families.

"In this hour of grief, the government is with the bereaved families in every manner," he said.

The bridge is 1.25 metres wide and spans 233 metres, connecting the Darbargadh Palace Heritage Hotel and the town.

Reuters