A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday, July 9th, when the Gambhira Bridge, connecting the Vadodara and Anand districts of Gujarat, suddenly collapsed mid-span. The disaster has been confirmed to have resulted in 15 fatalities so far, with 3 people still reported missing.
Gujarat Bridge Collapsed: A devastating bridge collapse in the Padra area of Vadodara district, Gujarat, on Wednesday, has claimed 15 lives, while three individuals remain missing. The tragic incident occurred when the bridge over the Gambhira River, which connects Vadodara and Anand, unexpectedly collapsed. Several vehicles were traversing the bridge at the time of the collapse, some of which plunged into the river along with the structure.
Since the incident, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been engaged in rescue and relief operations. Vadodara Collector Anil Dhamelia personally visited the site to oversee the rescue operation and provided updates on the situation.
15 Bodies Recovered So Far, Rescue Operation Continues
Collector Anil Dhamelia informed that three more bodies were recovered from the river by Thursday morning, bringing the death toll to 15. He stated that NDRF and SDRF teams were conducting search operations within a radius of approximately 4 kilometers. Two vehicles also fell from the bridge at the time of the accident and are now trapped in mud and debris. Efforts are underway to identify and locate the occupants of these vehicles.
Tanker Hanging from Bridge Poses a Challenge
Since the accident, an empty tanker is hanging halfway down from the bridge, presenting a significant challenge to the rescue team. Collector Dhamelia explained that moving the tanker could be risky, as rescue operations are underway directly below it. Therefore, a process has been initiated to stabilize it, ensuring the safety of the team working underneath.
He also mentioned that the water level in the river is rising due to rain, which is hindering the relief efforts. The team is having to exercise extra caution in these circumstances.
Assistance from Local Residents is Also Being Sought
The administration is contacting nearby villages and local residents to gather information about the fallen vehicles and potential victims. Several eyewitnesses reported that there were 4-5 vehicles on the bridge at the time of the accident, including cars, bikes, and the tanker. An SDRF officer stated that underwater investigations are being conducted using sonar and drone cameras to locate bodies and vehicles trapped in the mud.
The Gujarat government has initiated the process of providing financial assistance and compensation to the families of those who died in the accident. The Chief Minister of the state expressed grief over the incident, stating that strict action would be taken against those responsible, and a report related to the construction and maintenance of the bridge has also been called for. A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said that ₹5 lakh would be provided to the affected families and the injured would receive treatment at government expense.
The administration has ordered a technical investigation into the bridge collapse. It is reported that the bridge over the Gambhira River was several years old and had recently undergone repairs. The question now arises whether there was negligence in the construction work or if the collapse was due to natural causes. All information related to the quality of the bridge, the repair process, and monitoring is being examined.
