Bridge Collapses Tragically, Killing Nine People, Cars Plunge into River
- A tragic bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Vadodara district has claimed at least nine lives, casting fresh light on India’s ageing infrastructure
- The 1985-built Gambhira Bridge gave way on Wednesday morning, plunging vehicles into the Mahisagar River and prompting ongoing rescue operations
- The incident follows a deadly bridge failure in 2022 and renews concerns over safety and maintenance standards across the country
At least nine people have died following the collapse of the Gambhira Bridge in India’s western Gujarat state on Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed.
According to Gujarat’s Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, several vehicles fell into the Mahisagar River when a portion of the Gambhira Bridge, located in the Vadodara district, gave way. The bridge, built in 1985, has become the latest symbol of concern over India’s ageing infrastructure.
Source: Getty Images
Anil Dhameliya, a senior civil servant, reported that nine bodies had been recovered from the scene, while five others sustained injuries. He added that rescue operations were actively underway to search for any additional victims and provide emergency assistance.
Prime Minister Modi reacts to Gujarat tragedy
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. “Deeply saddening,” he said, offering condolences to the bereaved families.
The tragedy has renewed scrutiny on infrastructure safety across India, particularly in Gujarat—a state that has previously seen major disasters linked to ageing structures.
Infrastructure safety in India under spotlight
This latest incident echoes memories of the catastrophic collapse in 2022 of a colonial-era cable suspension bridge over the Machchu River in Gujarat. That disaster resulted in the deaths of at least 132 people, marking one of the worst bridge failures in the country’s recent history.
India continues to grapple with the challenge of maintaining its vast and often outdated network of highways and bridges, sparking calls for improved safety oversight and timely maintenance protocols.
Source: Getty Images
Bridge collapse
In 2025, India witnessed multiple bridge-related tragedies beyond the recent Gujarat collapse.
In June, an iron bridge at Kundamala near Pune gave way under the weight of tourists, killing four people—including a child—and injuring 38 others amid swollen river conditions.
Earlier in March, a gantry used for installing girders on the bullet train corridor in Ahmedabad slipped during retraction, disrupting railway lines though no casualties were reported.
These incidents have intensified scrutiny of ageing infrastructure across the country, with experts and citizens alike calling for urgent audits, improved maintenance protocols, and stronger accountability from public works departments.
Major Baltimore bridge collapses
Legit.ng earlier reported that a major bridge in the US city of Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday after being struck by a container ship, sending multiple vehicles and people plunging into the frigid harbor below.
Dramatic footage showed a 300-meter vessel hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge, bringing the steel-built structure crashing into the Patapsco River.
Lights from what appear to be vehicles could be seen on the road surface as the bridge warped and crashed in sections, with the third tranche cantilevering upwards before it, too, tumbled into the water.
Source: Legit.ng
