Vadodara Bridge Collapse: 11 Dead, Local Says Warnings Ignored, ‘It Had Become A Suicide Point’

The death toll in the Vadodara bridge collapse incident rose to 11 on Wednesday, police said. A section of the Gambhira bridge near Padra town collapsed in the morning, sending several vehicles crashing into the river below.

According to Superintendent of Police (Vadodara rural) Rohan Anand, the concrete slab connecting two piers gave way around 7.30 am. Two siblings were among those killed, he said, adding that nine others were rescued, some with injuries. Visuals from the site showed a complete section of the slab missing, with vehicles plunging into the waters beneath, news agency PTI reported.

Officials told reporters that the nearly 900-metre-long Gambhira bridge, constructed in 1985, serves as a crucial link between central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region. At least six vehicles — including two trucks, two vans, an autorickshaw and a two-wheeler — fell into the river. Two other vehicles were saved from falling by quick-thinking locals and emergency personnel, according to Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya.

Three individuals who were riding the two-wheeler managed to swim to safety. Among the deceased were a two-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister. Police said that all other victims, except one child, were male. Most of them hailed from Vadodara and Anand districts, while one of the injured is from Rajasthan’s Udaipur.

Vadodara Bridge Collapse: Eyewitnesses Recall Chaos, Local Says Structure Had Become 'Suicide Point'

Recounting the terrifying incident, a survivor named Raju told IANS, “There was a pickup vehicle, a rickshaw, and a two-wheeler on the bridge when it collapsed. I was on the bridge with my uncle. I don’t know where he is now. I fell into the river and somehow survived. I was travelling from Dwarka to Tadkeshwar in a bus.”

Narendra Singh, another survivor, added, “I was returning home after my duty. I was on my bike. Just as I reached the bridge, it collapsed right under me.”

Eyewitness accounts described a loud cracking noise moments before the bridge gave way, followed by a sudden plunge of the vehicles into the river.

Padra MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala visited the site shortly after the incident, while authorities cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into what caused the collapse.

Many residents blamed administrative apathy for the tragedy, stating that concerns about the bridge’s condition had been repeatedly raised over the years.

“This bridge was already in a dangerous condition. People had been warning about it for a long time. It’s not just a traffic hazard — it had become a suicide point,” said one local resident, as per IANS.

Senior Congress leader Amit Chavda also raised concerns via social media. “The main Gambhira bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara has collapsed. Multiple vehicles have fallen into the river. Rescue efforts must be immediate, and alternative traffic arrangements should be made,” he posted.

Out of the nine rescued, five have been admitted to SSG Hospital in Vadodara city. “None of them is in a critical condition,” the SP added.

Vadodara Bridge Collapse: PM, CM Announce Compensation; Probe Ordered

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed condolences over the incident and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families.

“The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” read a statement from the PMO on X.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the tragedy was “extremely distressing” and confirmed that the Gujarat government would provide Rs 4 lakh to the family of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

He added that a thorough investigation has been ordered. “Teams of the state roads and buildings department and private engineers specialising in bridge construction have been instructed to immediately reach the spot and conduct a preliminary investigation into the causes of the collapse and other technical matters, and submit a report,” Patel said in a post on X.

The rescue operation was jointly conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Vadodara fire department, local municipality teams and residents. Boats and swimmers from the local fire brigade and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation were deployed for the search efforts.

Gujarat minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed that the bridge was inaugurated in 1985 and said maintenance had been carried out as needed. “The exact reason behind the incident will be probed,” he told reporters.

The bridge has 23 piers and connects Vadodara to Anand district. As of Wednesday evening, the rescue operation was still in progress.

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