Gujarat Bridge Collapse Death Toll Rises to 15; Inquiry Ordered
The death toll from the collapse of the Gambhira bridge in Vadodara, Gujarat, has climbed to 15, with four people still reported missing. The 43-year-old bridge over the Mahisagar river gave way on Wednesday, plunging several vehicles into the water below. Rescue operations by the NDRF and SDRF are ongoing amidst rainfall. The Gujarat government has ordered an inquiry by the Roads and Building Department into the disaster and announced compensation for the victims' families and the injured.
Unpacked:
Local leaders and activists had repeatedly warned authorities about the bridge’s unsafe condition since at least 2021, including written requests to declare it unsafe and repair or replace it. A testing report even found the bridge unfit for use, but these warnings and recommendations were ignored, and the bridge was not closed to traffic.
At least six vehicles—including two vans, two trucks, a two-wheeler, and an autorickshaw—fell into the river when a 10-15-metre slab of the bridge collapsed. Some passengers managed to swim to safety, but at least 15 people have been confirmed dead, several injured, and four remain missing.
Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) began immediately. The Gujarat government has ordered an official inquiry by the Roads and Building Department and announced compensation for victims’ families and the injured.
The collapse has triggered public outrage and demands for accountability, especially as evidence surfaces of longstanding official awareness of the bridge’s poor state. Activists and local leaders are calling for criminal investigations and punishment of responsible officials, viewing the disaster as preventable and symptomatic of bureaucratic negligence.