VADODARA:
On July 11, officials confirmed that 18 people died when the Gambhira Bridge over the Mahi River in Padra taluka partially collapsed. Rescuers are still looking for two people who are still missing. There are worries that more people may be trapped under slush and debris.
Six vehicles, including two trucks, a pickup van, a micro van, and two motorcycles, fell into the river below on July 9th when a 15-20 m section of the concrete bridge, which had been constructed in 1985, broke down during rush hour traffic. "The bridge had been maintained periodically but had shown signs of deterioration, and residents had raised concerns about its safety," said Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel.
Rescue operations are being led by ten teams from the Vadodara Fire Brigade and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), supported by divers and local volunteers. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that efforts were “expected to continue late into the night” as they comb through thick slush for signs of life.
On 10 July, rescuers recovered five more bodies: four were discovered under one of the trucks in the riverbed, and a fifth was found around five kilometres downstream near Dabka village. The victims have been identified as Yogesh Chauhan of Bharuch and Atul Rathod, Bhupendra Parmar, Dilip Padhiyar and Yogesh Patel, all from Anand district. The identities of those still missing have not been released.
Intermittent rainfall has further hindered the rescue operation, with officials warning that pumps and water dispersing measures would remain in place through Friday, as search efforts resume at first light.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered an immediate technical investigation into the collapse and dispatched senior officials, including the Vadodara Collector, to oversee relief and rescue operations. A compensation package of ₹2 lakh for families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured has been announced from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Civil society and opposition voices have highlighted that several warnings about the bridge’s structural condition had been issued since 2021, drawing parallels to the Morbi collapse of 2022. A letter from local leaders had reportedly flagged the bridge as “unfit for use”, but corrective action was not pursued.
While the district police continue their investigation, the Road and Building Department has filed a case for accidental death and initiated a forensic structural assessment.
This tragedy has brought back into the public eye the need for regular safety audits and the problems with old infrastructure. As the rescue teams work through the night, people in Padra, Mujpur, and Gambhira hold vigil, hoping for one last sign of survivors.
