8 Dead as Portion of Gambhira Bridge Collapses in Gujarat, Vehicles Plunge Into River
At least eight people died and several others are feared trapped after a portion of the Gambhira bridge in Gujarat collapsed early Wednesday, sending multiple vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar river below. The incident occurred around 7:30 am at Padra in Vadodara district, triggering an urgent rescue and search operation.
According to officials, the bridge, which connects Vadodara and Anand along a state highway, collapsed suddenly, causing at least two trucks and two vans to fall into the river. Rescue teams, local police, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are on-site, searching for survivors amid fears that the death toll could rise.
Padra police inspector Vijay Charan told PTI that four people had been rescued so far, while divers and local administration teams continue to search the river for those still missing. Visuals from the site show a section of the bridge completely caved in, with parts of vehicles visible in the murky waters below.
PR Patelia, Secretary, Roads & Buildings Department, confirmed that a team of experts has been sent to assess the collapse and assist with relief operations. “We have received information about the damage to the Gambhira bridge, which led to this accident. A team of experts has been sent to the site of the incident,” Patelia stated.
Anand Superintendent of Police Gaurav Jasani confirmed that “three to four vehicles have fallen into the river” following the collapse and that rescue operations are ongoing with local authorities and disaster response teams coordinating recovery efforts.
The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, with structural engineers expected to examine the integrity of the remaining portions of the bridge and investigate if recent heavy rains in the region may have contributed to the weakening of the structure.
The incident has triggered concerns over the condition of bridges and public infrastructure in Gujarat, with social media flooded with images from the site and calls for accountability. Hashtags like #GujaratBridgeCollapse and #GambhiraBridge began trending, with users expressing shock and demanding strict action to ensure structural audits of old bridges across the state.
The Gambhira bridge serves as a crucial connection between Vadodara and Anand, supporting heavy daily traffic of goods carriers and passenger vehicles. The collapse has disrupted vehicular movement on the route, with authorities urging motorists to take alternative routes until further notice.
As rescue efforts continue, the Gujarat government is expected to announce compensation for the families of those killed and injured in the incident. More updates are awaited as the search operation progresses through the day.
