80 injured as footbridge collapses during Baisakhi celebration in Jammu

At least 80 people, including several children, were injured when a footbridge collapsed in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Friday. The incident took place at Beni Sangam in the Bain village of Chenani block during Baisakhi celebrations.

Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Ramesh Kumar said the bridge collapsed due to overloading as a large number of people had gathered on it.

"At least 80 people were injured, including 20-25 who are critical. We have referred 6-7 people to District Hospital. The others are here in Chenani and are being looked after by the medical staff," said Manik Gupta, chairman of Chenani Municipality.

Police and relief teams rushed to the spot and began rescue operations.

Videos and pictures purporting to show the extent of damage in the far-flung Chenani block have become widely circulated on social media.

The Baisakhi festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour across the country.

Celebrated every year in April, Baisakhi is one of the prominent festivals of the Sikhs.

It marks the birth of Khalsa Panth under Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.

On this day, the Sikhs make it a point to visit the Gurudwara. Langars are organised at various places and traditional, the Kada Prasad is served to everyone.