Gambhira Bridge
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Gambhira Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 22°15′48″N 72°59′54″E / 22.2633°N 72.9983°E |
| Carried | Vehicles and pedestrians |
| Crossed | Mahi River |
| Locale | Padra, Vadodara district, Gujarat, India |
| Official name | Gambhira Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Mujpur-Gambhira Bridge |
| Owner | Government of Gujarat |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Concrete |
| History | |
| Construction end | 1985 |
| Opened | 1985 |
| Collapsed | July 9, 2025 |
| Location | |
 | |
The Gambhira Bridge is a concrete road bridge located in Padra, Vadodara district, Gujarat, India. Built in 1985, it spanned several hundreds of meters over the Mahi River, connecting Mujpur village in Padra taluka with Gambhira in Anand district. The bridge serves as a key route between Central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region.
2025 partial collapse
[edit]At approximately 7:30 AM on 9 July 2025,[1][2] a portion of the bridge collapse during peak traffic hours, causing multiple vehicles to plunge into the Mahi River. The collapse resulted in at least 21 deaths and nine injuries.[3][4] According to officials, four vehicles—including two trucks, a pickup van, and a micro van—along with two motorcycles, were on the bridge when a slab between two piers gave way.[4] A survivor reported hearing a loud cracking noise before her vehicle plunged into the water.[4] Eyewitness videos showed a tanker left dangling precariously at the edge of the collapsed section, and rescue teams reported hearing cries for help from those trapped inside submerged vehicles.[4]
On 10 July the death toll rose to 18.[5] On 11 July the death toll rose to 21, after a man died in the Sayaji hospital and two bodies were found under the debris.[6]
Rescue and emergency response
[edit]Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with local fire brigades and divers, were deployed to the site for search and rescue operations. At least ten people were rescued from the river.[7] Four people were reported missing as of July 10.[5] Local hospitals, including Padra Referral Hospital and SSG Hospital in Vadodara, received the injured and the deceased for treatment and autopsy.[4]
Official responses
[edit]The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, ordered an immediate investigation and mobilized emergency services. He also instructed the Vadodara Collector to ensure timely medical treatment for the injured.[3]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office announced compensation of ₹200,000 (US$2,400) for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 (US$590) for the injured, from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.[3]
Aftermath and investigation
[edit]According to Rushikesh Patel, the Health Minister of Gujarat, the bridge was originally constructed in 1985 and underwent periodic maintenance. However, local residents had reportedly warned authorities about the deteriorating condition of the bridge for several years.[3] The Vadodara district police registered a case of accidental death and announced a formal inquiry to determine the cause of the collapse.[4] The Road and Building Department also launched a technical probe into the structural failure.[citation needed]
Initial findings revealed there were shortcomings in maintenance and supervision of the bridge. As a result, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has suspended on 10 July four engineers from the Roads and Buildings Department. Patel has also called for a high-level probe into the structural failure of the bridge.[8]
Victims
[edit]Among the deceased were three members of the Parmar family, Hasmukh Parmar of Majatan, Vakhatsinh Jadav of Kahanva, and Pravin Jadav of Undel village.[4] Injured victims included Sonal Padhiyar, the sole survivor from the van she traveled in, along with several others whose identities were later confirmed.[9] Children were among the victims.[10] A man from Borsad died in Sayaji hospital on 11 July.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "What happened after Vadodara bridge collapse: Minutes of horror in Gujarat mishap". Hindustan Times. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Gujarat Bridge Collapse: What We Know About Vadodara's Gambhira Bridge Tragedy That Killed Nine". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ^ a b c d "'Crumbling' Gujarat Bridge Was 40 Years Old, Gave Way In Peak Traffic Hours". NDTV. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Raja, Aditi (9 July 2025). "10, including 3 of a family, killed as multiple vehicles plunge into river after bridge collapses in Gujarat's Vadodara". The Indian Express. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Gujarat bridge collapse toll rises to 18, 4 engineers suspended". India Today. July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Gambhira Bridge Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 21, Locals Slam Minister
- ^ "Gujarat bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 13; rescue operations continue". The Times of India. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ Swift Action: Gujarat CM Suspends 4 Officials Over Mujpur-Gambhira Bridge Collapse, Orders Statewide Inspections
- ^ "10, including 3 of a family, killed as multiple vehicles plunge into river after bridge collapses in Gujarat's Vadodara". The Indian Express. 2025-07-09. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "Key questions answered about Gujarat bridge collapse that left 11 dead". The Indian Express. July 9, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.