Vadodara– A day of profound sorrow descended upon Gujarat’s Vadodara district this morning as a portion of the Gambhira bridge, an arterial link in the Padra area, tragically collapsed, leading to the deaths of at least nine individuals and leaving six others injured. The devastating incident, which occurred around 7 am, has plunged the region into grief and prompted an immediate, multi-agency rescue and relief operation.
Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed that rescue teams have so far retrieved nine bodies from the accident site, while the six injured individuals have been swiftly provided with medical treatment. The scale of the tragedy has sent shockwaves across the state and the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing his deep condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, announced ex-gratia compensation from the PM National Relief Fund. Each next of kin of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh, while the injured will be provided Rs 50,000. In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office conveyed, “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.”
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also conveyed his profound grief over the calamity, ordering an immediate and thorough investigation into the causes of the collapse. Taking to X, CM Patel wrote, “The tragedy caused by the collapse of one of the 23 spans of the Gambhira Bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara is tragic. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.” He further instructed authorities to ensure priority treatment for all injured individuals, confirming that teams from the fire brigade, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively engaged in the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
Chief Minister Patel has mandated a detailed technical investigation, with a specialized team comprising the Chief Engineer – Design, Chief Engineer – South Gujarat, and two private engineers specialising in bridge construction, tasked with reaching the scene, conducting a preliminary inquiry into the bridge’s failure, and submitting a comprehensive report.
Earlier in the day, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi provided initial details, confirming the recovery of nine bodies and the rescue of six individuals from the Gambhira bridge, which spans the Mahisagar River and connects Vadodara Rural and Anand districts. He added that the Chief Minister has dispatched a high-level committee to the accident site and has demanded a prompt report, promising strict action following the findings. Rescue operations are continuing as authorities work tirelessly to assess the full extent of the damage and ensure no more lives are lost.
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