During the morning rush hour on 9/7, a section of the Gambhira bridge, spanning the Mahisagar river and connecting the Anand and Vadodara districts, collapsed. One of the 23 spans of the nearly 900-meter bridge gave way, plunging at least five vehicles into the river below.

Witnesses reported hearing loud cracking sounds moments before the vehicles fell. Firefighters, local police, and Vadodara district officials rushed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations. Local residents also assisted, helping to pull the injured from the riverbank. Ten people died, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Local residents stated that the bridge had long been neglected by authorities. "The Gambhira bridge is notorious not only as a traffic blackspot but also as a place frequented by those contemplating suicide. Repeated warnings about the bridge's condition were ignored," one resident said.

A tanker truck hangs precariously from the partially collapsed bridge in Gujarat. Photo: NDTV

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (approximately 2,300 USD) for the families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees (580 USD) for the injured.

Construction on the Gambhira bridge began in 1981, and it opened to the public in 1985. In 2017, the Indian National Congress party called for the bridge's closure to heavy vehicles due to its deteriorating condition.

Huyen Le (Reuters, NDTV, India Today)