Bridge Collapses In Gujarat’s Vadodara, 9 killed, 5 rescued

The Gambhira bridge on the Mahisagar river, collapsed on Wednesday morning, disrupting connectivity between Vadodara and Anand. A truck and tanker reportedly fell into the Mahisagar River following the mishap.

At least nine people were killed and five were rescued with simple injuries, The Indian Express reported. The Gambhira bridge located along a state highway collapsed at around 7.30 AM, PTI reported.

Located in Mujpur in Padra taluka of the Vadodara district, the bridge connects Mujpur to Gambhira in Anand district and Central Gujarat to Saurashtra

The video of the incident shows a truck dangling from the edge of the collapsed section of the bridge while people have gathered at a distance to witness.

“While the rescue operation is on, as of now, we know that two trucks, an Eeco van, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw plunged into the river when a portion of the bridge gave way suddenly,” Anil Dhameliya, District Collector, Vadodara, told The Indian Express.

Four persons were rescued so far and the operation was still on, Padra police inspector Vijay Charan told PTI. The injured were taken to the local hospital in Vadodara district.

"Around four vehicles fell into the river after a portion of the bridge on the Mahisagar river collapsed around 7.30 am. The vehicles, including two trucks and two vans, fell into the river. We have rescued four persons so far," PTI quoted Charan. 

Vadodara district fire and emergency team, as well as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were deployed to carry the rescue operations. NDRF’s Vadodara 6BN unit said it had dispatched a team to the accident site along with deep water dives to assist in the rescue operation.

“It is not the deepest part of the river, and rescue is being undertaken. There were two motorcycles on the bridge at the time as well, but so far, we have no confirmation whether they also plunged into the river. We are yet to ascertain the identities of the people as we are focusing on the rescue work,” The Indian Express quoted Dhameliya.

PM Expresses Condolences

The Prime Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for those killed in the Gujarat bridge collapse.

The Prime Minister's Office wrote on X, "The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000."

PM Modi extended his condolences to the families of those affected by the collapse.