At least 27 people were killed and 60 injured when an overburdened old wooden bridge collapsed in the eastern Indian state of West Benal Saturday evening, reported local media on Sunday.

The tragedy took place in the Bijonbari area of West Bengal's mountain district of Darjeeling Saturday, the Indo-Asian News Service quoted district magistrate Soumitra Mohan as saying.

The Border Roads Organization-built bridge gave way around 19: 00 p.m. as over 100 people stood on it to listen to speeches of a local political leader, said the report.

The bridge was old and also damaged in the recent earthquake in September, according to the report.

When the incident took place, a cultural program was being held on one side of the bridge while a meeting was being held on the other.

Rescuers and local military personnel rushed to the scene to look for the survivors and help the wounded.

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