Gujarat Bridge Collapse: 9 Dead, CM Orders Probe

• Tragic Collapse: A portion of the Gambhira Bridge in Padra, Vadodara, collapsed on Wednesday morning, causing five vehicles—including two trucks, an SUV, a pickup van, and an auto-rickshaw—to plunge into the Mahisagar River.

• Casualties and Rescue: At least 9 people were confirmed dead and around 10 others rescued. Search and rescue operations, involving police, fire brigade, local residents, and NDRF teams, are still ongoing. Cranes have been deployed to retrieve submerged vehicles.

• Possible Cause: Initial reports point to poor maintenance and structural issues in the decades-old bridge built in 1985.

• Government Action: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered a high-level technical probe, directing the Roads and Buildings Department and senior engineers to submit a preliminary report. He also instructed the Vadodara Collector to ensure urgent medical care for the injured.

• Background: The bridge served as a key link between Anand and Vadodara districts. The incident follows the Morbi bridge collapse in 2022, which claimed 135 lives.