As of the latest update, at least 21 people died and nine others were injured when a section of the 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge collapsed over the Mahisagar River in Gujarat’s Vadodara district on the morning of July 9, 2025. The incident occurred around 7:30 am when a 10 to 15-meter section of the bridge suddenly gave way near Padra town, sending multiple vehicles crashing into the river below.
The collapse involved at least six vehicles, including two trucks, two vans, an autorickshaw, and a two-wheeler. Videos from the scene showed a massive portion of the bridge between two piers completely collapsed. Among the victims were family members Ramesh Padhiyar, Vedika Padhiyar, and Naitaik Padhiyar from Dariyapura village, along with Hasmukh Parmar from Majatan and Vakhatsinh Jadav from Kahanva village.
One particularly devastating case involved an Eeco van carrying nine passengers, of which only one person survived. Sonal Padhiyar, the sole survivor from the vehicle, lost her husband, daughter, and two-year-old grandson in the accident. She described falling into the water within seconds and waiting approximately one hour before help arrived.
A multi-agency rescue operation involving fire brigade teams, local volunteers, and National Disaster Response Force personnel continued throughout Wednesday. Fisherman Narendra Mali, who was working in the river at the time, witnessed vehicles falling one after another and immediately turned his boat toward the accident site to assist in rescue efforts.
The Gambhira Bridge, constructed in 1985, served as a key connector between central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed the bridge’s construction date and stated that maintenance had been carried out periodically as required. The bridge spans 900 meters in length with 23 piers connecting Vadodara and Anand districts.
However, the collapse has raised serious questions about infrastructure maintenance and official negligence. A recorded phone conversation from August 22, 2022, between a social activist and a Roads and Buildings department officer revealed prior warnings about the bridge’s structural integrity. In the recording, the officer acknowledged the bridge was unsound and “would not last long,” yet no preventive action was taken.
Local residents reported that the bridge had been shaking dangerously when vehicles crossed it. Despite these warning signs and a recommendation from local BJP MLA Chaitanyasinh Zala to construct a new bridge, the old structure remained operational. District Collector Anil Dhameliya mentioned that the bridge had been repaired the previous year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of each deceased victim, along with 50,000 rupees for each injured person. Modi contacted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during his foreign visit to inquire about the incident and rescue operations.
Chief Minister Patel ordered an immediate investigation by the Roads and Buildings Department and announced additional state compensation of four lakh rupees for each victim’s family and 50,000 rupees for each injured person. A technical team comprising the Chief Engineer–Design, Chief Engineer–South Gujarat, and two private bridge construction experts was instructed to conduct a preliminary investigation.
The incident has sparked political controversy, with opposition Congress leaders criticizing the state government’s handling of infrastructure maintenance. Congress MLA Amit Chavda stated that the party had repeatedly raised concerns about the bridge’s condition with the state government, but no concrete steps were taken.
This collapse adds to India’s concerning history of bridge failures. According to government data, 42 bridges collapsed between 2019 and 2024 across the country. Gujarat previously experienced a major bridge disaster in October 2022 when the colonial-era Morbi suspension bridge collapsed, killing 135 people.