At least 35 people have been killed and many injured after a suspension bridge collapsed in India

At least 35 people were killed and several injured after a cable-stayed bridge collapsed into a river in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Sunday evening, a government minister said.

Local media reported that hundreds of people rushed into the Macchu River when a bridge collapsed in Morbi district of the state. It is not yet known how many people were on the bridge.

The bridge, which was built more than a century ago and recently reopened to the public after renovation, gave way because it could not support the number of people on it, officials told the Press Trust of India news agency.

“Several people fell into the river due to the collapse of the bridge. A rescue operation is underway,” state minister Bryesh Merya said. “Several people are reported to have been injured. They were taken to the hospital.”

According to the authorities, rescue operations are underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation to the families of the dead and called for swift rescue action, his office tweeted.