Gujarat bridge collapse: Death toll climbs to 15, rescue operations continue

HORNBILL TV

The death toll in the Gambhira bridge collapse incident in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has risen to 15 with the recovery of three more bodies, an official said on Thursday.

Padra (Gujarat) [India], July 10 (HBTV): The death toll in the Gambhira bridge collapse incident in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has risen to 15 with the recovery of three more bodies, an official said on Thursday.

Rescue operations remain ongoing, with four individuals still reported missing. A section of the Gambhira bridge, which connects Vadodara and Anand, collapsed on Wednesday, plunging vehicles into the Mahisagar river below.

Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya told reporters, ‘The death toll stands at 15 now with the recovery of three more bodies today. Four people remain missing. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are conducting search and rescue operations even up to 4 km downstream. Two vehicles are stuck in the sludge at the incident site. We are seeking details from the public regarding those vehicles. There is rainfall, and the water level in the river has risen.’

Commenting on a truck seen hanging from the bridge, the Collector said, ‘It is an empty tanker. If we move it, it could fall. The process to stabilise the tanker is underway as the rescue operation continues directly underneath.’

Senior officials, including the Collector and other members of the local administration, have been monitoring and coordinating relief and rescue efforts since the incident occurred.

The SDRF continued rescue and recovery operations for the second consecutive day.

Vadodara Superintendent of Police Rohan Anand stated on Wednesday that a 10–15 metre slab in the middle of the bridge had collapsed. Two trucks, two pickup vans, and a rickshaw fell into the river, while two additional vehicles remained stranded on the bridge.

He confirmed that nine people had been rescued, five of whom were referred to SSG Hospital. ‘None of the people who have been rescued are in critical condition,’ he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced compensation of INR 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased, and INR 50,000 for the injured.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has also announced INR 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and INR 50,000 for those injured in the incident.

(ANI)