The death toll from the Gambhira Bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has risen to 21 people. The 40-year-old bridge spanning the Mahisagar River collapsed on July 9, 2025, around 7:30 a.m., sending multiple vehicles plunging into the water below.
The incident occurred when a 10 to 15-meter section of the bridge between two piers suddenly gave way near Padra town. The structure, which connected central Gujarat to the Saurashtra region, was constructed in 1985 and served as a key route between Anand and Vadodara districts.
According to Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya, at least six vehicles fell into the river, including two trucks, two vans, an autorickshaw, and a motorcycle. Among the victims were family members traveling in an Eeco van, where eight of nine passengers died. Sonal Padhiyar was the sole survivor from the vehicle, which carried her husband, daughter, and two-year-old grandson, all of whom perished in the incident.
Fisherman Narendra Mali, who was working near the bridge at the time of the collapse, witnessed the tragedy unfold. He described seeing vehicles fall one after another into the river and immediately redirected his boat toward the scene to assist in rescue efforts. Mali reported that two trucks, a car, a pickup van, and motorcycles were among the vehicles that fell into the water.
The rescue operation has involved multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, fire brigade teams, and local volunteers. Rescuers have faced significant challenges during the operation, including muddy terrain, the presence of soda ash in the water causing irritation, and a tanker containing sulfuric acid that fell into the river.
Vadodara Superintendent of Police Roshan Anand confirmed that 10 people were rescued from the water, with five receiving treatment at Vadodara’s SSG Hospital. None of the survivors were reported to be in critical condition. The police have registered an accidental death complaint in connection with the collapse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the victims and announced compensation of ₹200,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of each deceased person. The injured were to receive ₹50,000 each. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced additional state compensation of ₹400,000 for each family that lost a member and ₹50,000 for each injured person.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Patel suspended four engineers from the state’s roads and buildings department and ordered a comprehensive investigation. A team comprising the Chief Engineer–Design, Chief Engineer–South Gujarat, and two private bridge construction experts was directed to conduct a preliminary investigation into the collapse.
The bridge collapse has raised questions about maintenance and safety protocols. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel indicated that the bridge underwent periodic maintenance as required, though the exact cause of the collapse would be determined through investigation. Local residents had previously reported that the bridge shook when vehicles crossed it, suggesting structural concerns.
A recorded phone conversation from August 2022 between a social activist and a Roads and Buildings department officer surfaced after the collapse, revealing that officials were aware of the bridge’s poor condition. In the recording, the officer acknowledged that the bridge was structurally unsound and said it “would not last long.”
The tragedy has highlighted India’s ongoing infrastructure challenges. According to data from the federal government, 42 bridges collapsed across the country from 2019 to 2024. Gujarat has experienced several bridge failures in recent years, including the deadly Morbi suspension bridge collapse in October 2022 that killed 135 people.
Opposition Congress leaders criticized the state government’s response, with senior MLA Amit Chavda stating that the party had repeatedly raised concerns about the bridge’s condition with authorities. The Congress accused the government of failing to take concrete steps to address the safety of aging infrastructure across Gujarat.
The identified victims include Ramesh Padhiyar, Vedika Padhiyar, Naitaik Padhiyar, Hasmukh Parmar, Vakhatsinh Jadav, and Pravin Jadav.
The incident has disrupted transportation between the Anand and Vadodara districts, with authorities diverting traffic to alternative routes. The collapse of the one-kilometer-long bridge has eliminated a convenient connection that many commuters used to avoid city traffic between central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region.
