• Source:JND
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Gujarat Bridge Collapse: At least 15 bodies have been recovered and several people injured after the 43-year-old Gambhira bridge, connecting Vadodara and Anand in Gujarat’s Vadodara district, collapsed around 7:30 am on Wednesday, authorities said on Thursday. Multiple vehicles fell into the Mahisagar River, and a tanker was left hanging precariously on the edge. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are gearing up to resume rescue and relief operations on the second day of the incident.

Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya visited the Gambhira bridge, which connects Vadodara and Anand and collapsed yesterday. Since then, the Collector and other local administration officials have been on-site, overseeing and assessing the ongoing relief and rescue operations.

Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya said, "The death toll stands at 15 now with recovery of 3 more bodies today. 4 persons remain missing. NDRF and SDRF are conducting search and rescue operations even till 4 km downstream. Two vehicles are stuck in the sludge at the incident site. We are seeking details from the public on those vehicles. There is rainfall, and the water level has risen in the river."

On the truck hanging from the bridge, he said, "It is an empty tanker. If we move it, it could fall. The process to stabilise the tanker is underway as a rescue operation is going on right there under the bridge."

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"Rescue operation started this morning. Local swimmers, boats and team of Municipal Corporation reached the spot immediately. VMC, Emergency Response Centre, NDRF teams and other administration, Police team are here. Rescue operation is ongoing...We have recovered 9 bodies so far. 5 people are injured, a 6th injured was found just now and he is being provided medical treatment," Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya said. 

As soon as information about the bridge collapse was received, police rushed to the scene. Fire brigade personnel promptly launched a rescue operation, saving several lives. According to reports, three to four vehicles on the bridge were swept away, and many people were injured in the incident.

"A part of the bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara has collapsed. Three to four vehicles have fallen into the river. Rescue operations are underway," Anand SP Gaurav Jasani said to ANI. 

Surender Singh, NDRF Commandant, 6th Battalion said, "Yesterday, the District Administration informed us of this around 9 am. They demanded one team of the NDRF to retrieve the victims. So, we sent one team here. We started our rescue operations as soon as we reached here. We assessed that one team won't be enough and we would need more teams. So, we deputed one more team. Later one more sub-team was deployed. So, two teams and one sub-team are here. We are continuing the rescue operation. So far, 13 bodies and 5 live victims have been retrieved. Our priority is to check the area at the earliest and retrieve bodies as well as live victims. We will try to finish the operation by this afternoon."

The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, expressed deep sorrow yesterday over the bridge collapse incident.

"The accident that occured in Vadodara district of Gujarat is very tragic. The NDRF team hs reached the accident site and is engaged in relief and rescue operations, and all possible assistance is beibg provided to the victims. My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray to god for the speedy recovery of the injured," Amit Shah wrote on X.

Vadodara Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohan Anand said yesterday 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 vehicles remained stranded on the bridge.

He said yesterday that nine people have been rescued, five of whom have been referred to SSG Hospital. "None of the people who have been rescued are in critical condition," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who died in the bridge collapse. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.

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Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those who died in the Vadodara bridge collapse. He also announced Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The collapse of the bridge has disrupted connectivity between Vadodara and Anand, leading to long queues of vehicles on both sides. Police have diverted traffic, and commuters now face a detour of approximately 40 kilometres to travel between the two cities.