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At least 30 people were killed and dozens critically injured when a suspension bridge in India’s western Gujarat state collapsed on Sunday, two government officials told Reuters news agency, Aljazeera reported. “We can confirm that 30 people have lost their lives, many have been rescued from the river, and some are still missing,” said Amit Jhala, a senior administrator at the state-run hospital to where victims were taken. More than 400 people were on the bridge over the Machhu River in the town of Morbi at the time of the collapse, local TV channel Zee News reported. Footage broadcast by the TV channel showed dozens of people clinging onto the cables of the collapsed bridge as emergency teams struggled to rescue them, according to Aljazeera. The 230-metre historic bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century. It had been closed for renovation for six months and was reopened for the public last week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in his home state Gujarat for a three-day visit, said he has directed the state chief minister to mobilise teams urgently for the rescue operation.

Somalia’s president says at least 100 people were killed in Saturday’s two car bombings at a busy junction in the capital and the toll could rise in the country's deadliest attack since a truck bombing at the same spot five years ago killed more than 500, The New Indian Express reported.

An Indian construction company has provided Rs 1.6 million in compensation to the family of a Nepali boy who died in the course of a road construction. An agreement to this effect took place among the Indian Garg & Garg Company, the Indian administration, members of the victim's family and local Nepali people's representatives. A representative from the construction company handed the amounts to the family of the victim amid a function here, said Chief District Officer Dirgharaj Upadhyay. A nine-year-old Nepali boy, Pawan Mahara, was killed after a stone hurled from an explosion made in the course of constructing a road in the Indian side hit him. He died on the spot. He along with his father, mother, brother and sister was walking on the banks of the Mahakali river opposite to the construction site in the Nepali territory when the incident occurred. The incident took place at Dumling of Byas Rural Municipality in Darchula district on Friday. "We were walking on the river banks when the incident occurred. Daughter Sarina was injured in the incident. She is taking treatment at the district hospital," said the deceased's father, Hikmat. "The construction company handed the compensation amounts. They will be deposited in a joint bank account of the deceased's father and mother on Monday when banks are open," he said. The compensation amounts would be used on the schooling of his children, he added. Meanwhile, the Nepali side has expressed its concern over the blasting carried out by the Indian side without warning. According to International practices, neighboring country (ies) should be informed about an explosion in the course of the construction of any physical structures along the international borders. But, the explosion by the Indian side was not informed beforehand, claimed the Nepali side. "Local administration of both parties should coordinate before an explosion at international borders," said CDO Upadhyay.  

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has expressed his grief over the death of people in the Palpa bus accident. "I am saddened by the accident," said the PM in a tweet today. He also offered his condolences to the deceased and the bereaved families while directing the authorities to manage treatment for the injured people. Five people were killed and as many as 30 others injured when a bus heading to Manakamana in Gorkha district from Palpa met with an accident at Hungi of Rambha Rural Municipality in Palpa today morning.