At Least 11 Dead, Several Injured as Bridge Collapses in Gujarat's Vadodara; PM Modi, Gujarat CM Announce Compensation

At Least 11 Dead, Several Injured as Bridge Collapses in Gujarat's Vadodara; PM Modi, Gujarat CM Announce Compensation

CNB World Times

Vadodara, July 9, 2025 :
In a tragic incident, at least 11 people, including three members of a family, lost their lives and nine others were injured after the decades-old Gambhira bridge over the Mahisagar River collapsed early Wednesday morning in Gujarat’s Vadodara district. The bridge, located near Mujpur village in Padra taluka, gave way around 7:30 AM, sending four to five vehicles — including trucks, a Bolero SUV, a pickup van and an autorickshaw— plunging into the river below. A large tanker truck was also seen tilting on the edge of the broken bridge.

A large-scale rescue operation was immediately launched, involving local swimmers, boats, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), the Emergency Response Centre, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and police teams. Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed the ongoing efforts, stating that more people may still be trapped under the debris.

According to state minister Rushikesh Patel, the bridge served as a key link between Saurashtra and Central Gujarat, connecting regions like Anand and Padra. “Five people have been rescued so far,” he said earlier in the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has also announced ₹4 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased.

The bridge, constructed 43 years ago, had undergone repairs just last year, raising serious concerns about the quality of infrastructure maintenance. The cause of the collapse is under investigation, and authorities have assured a thorough probe into the incident.

Rescue operations are still underway, with officials racing against time in the hope of saving any survivors.