A section of the Gambhira‑Mujpur (Gambhira) Bridge spanning the Mahi‑Sagar River in Vadodara district collapsed this morning, July 9, 2025. Authorities report at least nine fatalities and several others injured, with ongoing rescue efforts underway
Key details:
- Time & location: Around 7:30 am in Vadodara district, where the collapsed bridge serves as a major link between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra
- Casualties: Nine confirmed dead, multiple injured. Rescue teams have saved at least five people from the river .
- Structure: Built in 1985 and over 40 years old, the bridge has suffered structural weakness, exacerbated by heavy rains over recent days
- Weather influence: The area saw significant rainfall prior to the collapse, notably increasing the likelihood of infrastructure failure .
- Vehicles involved: A truck, van, and car reportedly plunged into the river when the section gave way
Official response:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief, calling the accident “deeply saddening,” and offered condolences to families of the victims
- Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered a formal investigation, while the state government announced financial compensation: ₹200,000 (~US $2,400) for each deceased and ₹50,000 for injured individuals
- Opposition parties, notably Congress and AAP, condemned the collapse as a “disaster waiting to happen,” insisting that warnings about the bridge’s dilapidated condition had been ignored
What happens next:
- A full forensic investigation will analyze structural integrity, maintenance records, and weather impact.
- Rescue and recovery teams continue searching for any missing individuals.
- The state government will likely initiate safety audits of similar bridges, along with potential infrastructural reforms.
Local Impact:
- The bridge served as a vital arterial connection; its collapse will disrupt daily commuting and commercial routes until an alternative is arranged.
- Nearby healthcare facilities are on alert, tending to the injured.
- Transport authorities may issue detour advisories during the ongoing rescue efforts and stabilization work.
