Minimum of fifteen people pass away due to India bridge collapse
(MENAFN) At least 15 people lost their lives on Wednesday when a bridge collapsed in the Indian state of Gujarat, sending multiple vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar River, according to local authorities.
Officials said five vehicles — including two trucks, two vans, and an autorickshaw — fell into the river following the collapse, which was preceded by a loud cracking sound. A tanker became stuck on the remaining section of the bridge, and though the driver escaped, he has since gone missing, reports say.
Emergency response teams, including the fire brigade, local police, and the Vadodara district administration, rushed to the scene. With the assistance of volunteers, nine individuals were rescued from the river.
The bridge, located on a key route connecting parts of western Gujarat, was reportedly in poor condition. Residents told media outlets the 40-year-old Gambhira bridge had long been neglected. “The Gambhira bridge has become notorious not just as a traffic hazard but also as a suicide point. Repeated warnings about its condition were ignored,” a local resident told NDTV.
In April, Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel approved the construction of a new $25 million bridge to replace the aging structure. The design and bidding process had already begun.
Following Wednesday’s tragedy, Patel ordered a special team to conduct a preliminary investigation into the cause of the collapse, according to media reports. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2022 collapse of a recently renovated colonial-era bridge in the same state, which resulted in 141 deaths.
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