Vadodara: At least nine people were killed and five others critically injured after a section of the four-decade-old Gambhira bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Vadodara district early Tuesday morning, sending multiple vehicles into the Mahisagar river.
The incident occurred around 7:30 am on the Padra–Mujpur stretch, a crucial link between Central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region. According to officials, two trucks and two vans were among the vehicles that fell into the river after a major portion of the bridge gave way.
Local authorities launched a large-scale rescue operation, with teams from the Vadodara fire department, local residents, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working on-site. Drone footage shows a massive gap in the bridge structure, with crowds gathered on one end and the other side cut off entirely.
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said the bridge was built in 1985 and had undergone periodic maintenance. The state government has ordered a technical probe to determine the cause of the collapse. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed experts to visit the site and assist with the investigation.
The Gambhira bridge spans 900 metres and rests on 23 piers. It serves as a key transportation corridor connecting Vadodara and Anand districts.
Rescue efforts were ongoing as of the latest update, with officials focused on recovering remaining victims and ensuring no one remains trapped in submerged vehicles.
