A tragic incident struck Gujarat on Wednesday morning when a section of the Gambhira-Mujpur bridge, linking the Anand and Vadodara districts, suddenly collapsed during peak traffic hours. The disaster caused four vehicles — including two trucks, a Bolero SUV, and a pickup van — to plunge into the Mahisagar (Mahi) River, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud cracking sound moments before the bridge gave way. Emergency services, including fire brigade personnel, local police, and district authorities, rushed to the scene to carry out rescue operations.
Three people were rescued and hospitalized with injuries, while search efforts continued for potential victims still trapped under the debris. Cranes were deployed to retrieve the submerged vehicles. The bridge, a vital artery between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra, had reportedly been in poor condition for years. Locals claimed repeated warnings about its safety were ignored by the administration. Residents also mentioned that the bridge had gained notoriety as a suicide spot, highlighting its long-standing vulnerability.
Padra MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala visited the site, and a probe has been initiated to determine the cause of the collapse. Authorities have sealed off the area and called for an immediate structural audit of similar bridges across the region. Senior Congress leader Amit Chavda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the incident. As the rescue mission continues, pressure is mounting on the state government to address aging infrastructure and ensure such tragedies do not recur.
