Horrific Bridge Collapse In Gujarat: 12 Killed, Several Severely Wounded

Atleast twelve deaths have been reported while nine people were rescued subsequently after five vehicles plunged in the Mahisagar River in Gujarat's Vadodara district following the collapse of a major portion of the Gambhira bridge, connecting the Anand, Vadodara, collapsed. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also declared an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the deceased families and Rs 50,000 for the injured. “It is very saddening that people have lost their lives and many others are injured in the wake of bridge collapse on Vadodara-Mumbai rail line," PM Modi said. I urge that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.” My thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those who have lost their loved ones, as well as the injured and the recovered.

માનનીય વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી @NarendraModi એ તેમના વિદેશ પ્રવાસ દરમિયાન મારી સાથે ટેલિફોનિક વાતચીત કરીને આણંદ-વડોદરાને જોડતા ગંભીરા બ્રિજની થયેલી દુર્ઘટના અંગે સંપૂર્ણ વિગતો મેળવીને આ દુર્ઘટનામાં જાન ગુમાવનારા મૃતકો પ્રત્યે સંવેદના વ્યક્ત કરી હતી.

તેમણે આ દુર્ઘટનામાં જે લોકો ઈજા…

— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) July 9, 2025

“The Road Construction Department has been instructed to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident. For this, a team comprising the Chief Engineer – Design, Chief Engineer – South Gujarat, and two private engineers with expertise in bridge construction has been directed to reach the site immediately, carry out a preliminary investigation into the cause of the collapse and other technical matters, and submit a report.”

— Chief Minister of Gujarat

Fire and emergency teams of Vadodara District and NDRF were rushed to the location for rescue. The NDRF's Vadodara 6BN said that it had dispatched a team along with deep water divers for accomplishing the rescue operation at the site of the accident. Eight hours later, the tanker remained stranded on the collapsed section of the bridge.The tanker driver escaped unscathed. However, the driver has not been present at the scene since the accident.

Meanwhile, attempts are being made to salvage a truck that plunged into the Mahisagar river as a result of the bridge collapse. A crane along with three JCB machines have been deployed, but the truck still remains unmoved.

Taking into account the traffic volume on the bridge, the Chief Minister had sanctioned a new bridge costing Rs 212 crore three months ago. Work on the design and tender for the new bridge was already in progress. After the incident, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel dispatched the Chief Engineer, bridge design team, and experts to the spot immediately and ordered a detailed report encapsulating the intricacies of the incident.

The construction of the bridge began in 1981 and was opened for public use in 1985.  The Congress party in 2017 had demanded the closure of the bridge to heavy vehicles because it was in a bad condition. Calling the incident "deeply saddening," the Chief Minister said that one of the 23 spans of the nearly 900-metre-long bridge had collapsed.

"Instructions have been issued after talking to the Vadodara Collector to get urgent medical treatment for the injured and all other required arrangements as priority," the Chief Minister wrote on X.