India News : A major tragedy struck Gujarat on Wednesday morning when a 45-year-old bridge over the Mahisagar River in Vadodara collapsed, sending five vehicles plunging into the river below. The vehicles included two trucks, two cars, and an auto-rickshaw, while a tanker got stuck at the broken edge, narrowly avoiding a worse disaster.
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At least 9 people have died, and 8 others were rescued by local residents who responded quickly to the emergency. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. Authorities confirmed that three fire brigade teams were immediately dispatched to the scene to carry out rescue and recovery operations, which are still ongoing.
The bridge served as a critical connectivity link between central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region. With its collapse, travel between major cities like Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Tapi, and Valsad to Saurashtra is now severely disrupted. Commuters will now be forced to take a longer detour via Ahmedabad, increasing travel time and cost significantly.
Local sources revealed that the bridge was constructed approximately 45 years ago and had long shown signs of structural weakness. Several warnings and repair requests were allegedly ignored, raising concerns of administrative negligence. The incident has sparked public outcry, with demands for accountability and urgent inspection of other aging infrastructure in the region.
According to eyewitnesses, the bridge collapsed suddenly while vehicles were crossing, giving drivers and passengers little time to react. Rescue workers, divers, and emergency responders are using cranes and boats to search for any remaining victims trapped in the water.
In response to the tragedy, the state government has ordered an immediate inquiry into the cause of the collapse. The Chief Minister’s Office has also announced compensation for the families of the deceased and assured that safety audits of similar bridges will be conducted without delay.
This heartbreaking incident has not only claimed innocent lives but also highlighted the critical need for better infrastructure maintenance and proactive governance. As rescue teams continue their efforts, the state mourns yet another avoidable disaster that could have been prevented with timely action.
