RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of condolences to Indian President Droupadi Murmu over victims of a bridge collapse that killed at least 135 people in the western Indian state of Gujarat, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
“We send to Your Excellency, the families of the deceased and the Indian people, our deepest and sincere condolences,” the king said, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable to the Indian president.
Hundreds of sightseers celebrating Diwali, or the festival of lights, and the Chhath Puja holidays, stood on or near the 230-meter bridge — a major tourist attraction — on Sunday evening when it collapsed, sending people plunging into the Machchhu River.
A large number of those who died were women, children and the elderly, according to reports from local media outlets.
The bridge in Morbi, a town about 200 km from Gujarat’s main city Ahmedabad, was built during British rule in the 19th century and had been closed for about six months for renovations. It collapsed just four days after it was reopened to the public.
