Gujarat Vadodara Gambhira Bridge Collapse Kills 10 in Tragic Accident
What was meant to be a routine journey turned into a night of horror for several families when an old bridge collapsed in Gujarat, dragging multiple vehicles into the swirling waters of the Mahisagar River.
In the early hours of Wednesday, tragedy struck Vadodara’s Padra taluka where the Gujarat Vadodara Gambhira Bridge Collapse claimed at least 10 lives, including three members from a single family. The bridge, which connected Mujpur village in Vadodara to Gambhira in Anand district, was a key route between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra. It had stood for 43 years before giving way without warning.
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What Happened?
The accident occurred when a portion of the bridge suddenly crumbled, plunging at least five vehicles — including two trucks, an Eeco van, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw — into the river below.
According to Rohan Anand, Superintendent of Police, Vadodara, 10 deaths have been confirmed so far. Another three people are feared drowned, and rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are ongoing.
Heartbreaking Losses
Among the deceased were:
- Ramesh Padhiyar
- Vedika Padhiyar
- Naitaik Padhiyar — all from Dariyapura village, members of the same family
- Hasmukh Parmar from Majatan
- Vakhatsinh Jadav from Kahanva village
- Pravin Jadav from Undel village
One of the most tragic stories was that of Sonal Padhiyar, the only survivor from the Eeco van. She lost her husband and two children — including her two-year-old son and daughter — in the mishap.
Other injured survivors identified so far include:
- Narendra Parmar (Dahevan)
- Dilip Padhiyar (Nani Sherdi)
- Rajesh Chavda (Devapura)
- One individual from Rajasthan
- Four others yet to be identified
All injured were rushed to Padra Referral Hospital and SSG Hospital in Vadodara for emergency care.
First-Hand Account from the Scene
Raju Hathiya, a truck driver from Dwarka, recalled the chilling moment when the bridge collapsed:
“We were two in the vehicle… I don’t know where my cleaner is. Suddenly the truck just fell into the water. I managed to come out from my side and sat in the vehicle… someone later pulled me out with a boat.”
He added there were at least three other vehicles and a couple of motorcycles near him when the bridge crumbled beneath them.
Videos Show Chaos and Desperation
Terrifying videos from the scene show a tanker truck left dangling from the broken edge of the bridge. One haunting clip captures a woman’s desperate screams for help as she cries for her son — believed to be trapped inside the overturned Eeco van in the water.
According to Anil Dhameliya, Vadodara District Collector:
“Rescue operations are ongoing. At the time of the collapse, there were five vehicles confirmed in the river. The NDRF and local emergency teams are at the site with deep-water divers assisting the search.”
He also stated that two motorcycles were reportedly on the bridge, but it’s still unclear if they too fell into the river.
An Aging Bridge with Recent Repairs
The Gambhira bridge was constructed in 1985 and had undergone repairs just last year. Despite that, no early warnings or structural alerts were reported before the sudden failure.
Dhameliya confirmed:
“Executive engineers from the Roads and Bridges Department are reviewing the structure. We will thoroughly inspect the bridge once the rescue operation is complete.”
On the other side of the bridge, Anand District Collector Praveen Chaudhary deployed three fire tenders and local police for additional support and crowd control.
Government and Political Response
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi both expressed deep condolences for the victims. The PM said the incident was “deeply saddening” and offered prayers for the families affected.
Anklav Congress MLA Amit Chavda took to X to share the gravity of the situation:
“Several vehicles have fallen into the river and big casualties are feared… The government administration must undertake immediate rescue and divert traffic accordingly.”
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Infrastructure and Safety in Question
This is not the first bridge-related tragedy in Gujarat. In 2022, a colonial-era cable suspension bridge collapsed into the Machchu River in Morbi, killing at least 132 people.
The Gujarat Vadodara Gambhira Bridge Collapse raises serious questions about infrastructure safety, regular audits, and accountability in public construction.
What’s Next?
- Rescue operations are still underway.
- An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the collapse.
- Structural assessments of similar bridges in the region may follow.
The district police have registered a case of accidental death, and further action will be determined after the rescue phase concludes.
Stay tuned to Bharat Details for updates on the Gujarat Vadodara Gambhira Bridge Collapse and related developments.
Information based on multiple news agency reports and local sources.
