Gambhira Bridge Collapse: 9 dead and several injured; rescue operations underway

New Delhi (India) July 9: A number of vehicles fell into the Mahisagar River on Wednesday as Gambhira bridge collapsed in Gujarat. The incident has killed at least nine people and injured six. Road communication between Anand and Vadodara has been interrupted by the incident. It also has an impact on traffic flow along the route.

Harsh Sanghavi, the home minister of Gujarat has announced that six persons had been rescued and nine bodies had been found. 

He said “9 bodies have been recovered and 6 people have been rescued. CM sent a high committee to the spot in the morning itself and he has sought a report at the earliest. Taking this very seriously, the CM has directed a team of Roads and Buildings Department and other teams to go there and take concrete measures.”

According to Gujarat minister Rushikesh Patel, the bridge was built in 1985. The bridge has since undergone the required periodic maintenance.

According to Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya, rescue operations started earlier in the day. There were teams from the Municipal Corporation, boats and local swimmers all showing up on time. He stated that workers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Emergency Response Centre, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) and other police and administrative agencies were on the scene. 

He said, “We have rescued five people with simple injuries and two have been confirmed dead. While the rescue operation is on, as of now, we know that two trucks, an Eeco van, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw plunged into the river when a portion of the bridge gave way suddenly.”

The National Disaster Response Force and the Vadodara district fire and emergency team were sent to the scene to carry out rescue efforts. The Vadodara 6BN unit of the NDRF reported that it had sent team members and deep water divers to the scene of the accident to help with the rescue effort.

The injured have been brought to the Vadodara district's local hospital. Dhameliya also said that four of the five people who were rescued had escaped with "minor injuries" and non-grievous injuries.

According to Padra police inspector Vijay Charan, the operation was still ongoing and four people have been rescued so far.

He said, “Around four vehicles fell into the river after a portion of the bridge on the Mahisagar river collapsed around 7.30 am. The vehicles, including two trucks and two vans, fell into the river. We have rescued four persons so far."

According to officials, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed technical specialists to visit the location and look into what caused the bridge to fall.

The Gambhira bridge, constructed across the Mahisagar River on a state route. It collapsed at approximately 7:30 in the morning. The 900-metre-long Gambhira bridge connects Vadodara and Anand cities of Gujarat. It was started in 1985.

Aadrika Tayal