The death toll in the Gambhira Bridge collapse in Padra taluka of Vadodara district rose to 13 on Tuesday, as two more bodies were recovered from the Mahisagar River, according tot he reports. The bridge collapsed on Wednesday morning while several vehicles were passing over it. The search operation continues with the help of locals and the National Disaster Response Force. According to the media reports, two teams of thirty members each are involved in the rescue work.
Several video clips from the collapse site showed a tanker teetering dangerously at the edge of the broken bridge and a woman was heard screaming for help to rescue her son.
The Gujarat Government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also declared an additional Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
The Gambhira Bridge was built in 1985. For over 40 years, it served as a key corridor connecting Vadodara, Anand, Bharuch, and the Saurashtra region.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said experts in bridge engineering and reconstruction have been sent to the site. The Chief Minister added that Prime Minister Modi, who is currently abroad, called him to seek details and expressed his condolences.
The incident has brought back memories of the 2022 Morbi bridge collapse, which claimed 135 lives.
(With inputs from agencies)