At least 60 people were killed when a pedestrian bridge over a river in the western Indian state of Gujarat collapsed, plunging hundreds of people into the water, officials said.

Authorities said more than 150 people were on the suspension bridge over the Machhu River in the town of Morbi at the time of the collapse.

Various TV footages have shown people clinging onto cables and the remains of the bridge over the Machhu River.

Those who were plunged into the water struggled to swim to safety as others tried to pull themselves to the banks using the remains of the destroyed structure.

Emergency service personnel are still carrying out search and rescue operations.

(With inputs from Reuters)