Bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Vadodara kills 10; PM announces ex-gratia assistance

New Delhi, Jul 9: At least ten people were killed and several injured when a section of the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge in Padra taluka of Gujarat’s Vadodara district collapsed on Wednesday. The tragedy occurred during peak traffic hours, in the early afternoon, sending multiple vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar (Mahi) River.

IANS reported that two trucks, a Bolero SUV, and a pickup van were on the bridge when it suddenly gave way. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud cracking sound before half a dozen vehicles plummeted into the river. Rescue teams from the fire department, local police, and the Vadodara district administration were immediately deployed. Locals also assisted in pulling the injured from the wreckage. Local media reported that at least six survivors were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The bridge, which connects Anand and Vadodara districts and serves as a vital link between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra, has reportedly been in a state of disrepair for years. Residents allege that repeated warnings to the authorities about its deteriorating condition went unheeded, as reported by the media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is out of India, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said the incident was “deeply saddening” and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. He also announced an ex-gratia of `2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, and `50,000 for those injured. News agencies reported that authorities cordoned off the area and launched a probe to determine the cause of the collapse. An investigation into the structural failure is underway.