Vadodara: At least three people died on Wednesday morning after a section of the Gambhira bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Vadodara district, causing several vehicles to fall into the Mahisagar River. The bridge, which connects the districts of Anand and Vadodara, was built in 1985 and spans around 900 metres with 23 piers.
The incident took place at around 7.30 am. According to the police, four vehicles, including two trucks and two vans, plunged into the river after a slab between two piers gave way. So far, four people have been rescued, and search operations are ongoing.
Padra police inspector Vijay Charan confirmed the details and said the exact number of people still trapped is yet to be known. Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel said the bridge had undergone routine maintenance, and the cause of the collapse would be investigated.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed technical experts to visit the site and identify the reasons behind the collapse. He also asked officials to ensure proper rescue operations are carried out at the earliest.
Visuals from the scene showed a large portion of the bridge submerged in the river, with emergency workers and locals working together to rescue those affected. The collapse has disrupted traffic between Anand and Vadodara, severely affecting travel on the state highway.
Teams from the Vadodara fire department and local authorities are actively involved in rescue efforts. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit has also reached the site with equipment to support the ongoing operation.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the route until further notice. The incident has raised concerns about the condition of old infrastructure in the state.