Mexican footbridge collapses during inaugural walk by mayor
Mexico City, Jun 9: The mayor of the Mexican city of Cuernavaca was proudly inaugurating a footbridge over a scenic stream Tuesday when the span collapsed, sending him and about two dozen other people plunging into a gully.
The hanging bridge made of wooden boards and metal chains had recently been remodelled.
Video of the collapse suggested the boards separated from the chains supporting them.
Local officials, including city council members, fell about 10 feet onto rocks and boulders in the streambed.
Mayor Jos Luis Uri stegui later said that some of the people accompanying him on the inaugural walk had been jumping on the bridge, perhaps in an attempt to make it sway.
There were a lot of people jumping. That was reckless, Uri stegui said.
The crush of officials and journalists on the bridge also may have exceeded its planned capacity, the mayor said.
There were more of us than there should have been there, he said.
The Cuernavaca city government said in a statement that four city council members, two other city officials and a local reporter were injured and had to be extracted on stretchers from the gully and were taken to local hospitals.
Uri stegui said none of the injuries were critical, and the worst involved a broken bone or a blow to the head.
Uri stegui himself was taken to a hospital with light injuries, but later spoke to reporters outside.
The Morelos state government said the hanging footbridge was not included in a 340,000 riverwalk construction program that started in 2021 and may have existed prior to that.
Cuernavaca, located just south of Mexico City, has long been a weekend getaway for capital residents due to its abundance of water and balmy climate.
The footbridge was part of a river walk along one of the city's many streams.
Cuernavaca has undergone explosive growth and has largely ignored or polluted many of its waterways. The river walk was intended to be part of a revival of the city's natural attractions.
Footbridge collapse during reopening ceremony in Mexico pic.twitter.com/Kn4X554Ydk
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Change in name of state to Keralam, a joyful moment for Malayali brothers: PM Modi
Kochi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the change of name of the state from Kerala to Keralam by the Centre was a joyful moment for Malayali brothers.
The PM was speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha, an organisation that works for the welfare of the fishing community in the state.
In his inaugural address, Modi appreciated the role of the fishing community during the 2018 floods in Kerala, lauding their courage, service, and dedication at that time.
He also pointed out that the Dheevara Sabha has been working for fishermen's rights for 50 years.
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Modi said the Centre too has been working for the welfare of the fishing community and has carried out various initiatives to empower them.
He also said that the Union government has taken various measures, including installing over 4,500 satellite-based transponders in fishing boats, to ensure the safety of fishermen at sea.
Modi arrived at the Kochi international airport around 11.30 am and from there travelled by helicopter to the naval base here.
From there, he travelled by road to the Marine Drive for his first event of the day -- the golden jubilee celebrations of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha.
The PM arrived in poll-bound Kerala to take part in a series of programmes here, including the inauguration of the BJP-led NDA's election convention.
