Vadodara, Gujarat — July 9, 2025 — A devastating infrastructure failure has struck Gujarat this morning as part of the almost 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge over Mahisagar River near Padra-Mujpur collapsed during rush hour traffic, leaving at least nine confirmed fatalities, multiple injuries, and several vehicles plunging into river.
Details and Immediate Impact
A bridge first opened in 1985 between Vadodara and Anand districts gave way after days of intense rainfall, prompting videos taken at the moment of collapse to show two trucks, an SUV, van, and auto-rickshaw submerging into the river. Local authorities estimate nine bodies have been found so far while rescuers rescued at least five survivors from drowning as per local estimates (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com +15, apnews +15 and hindustantimes +15). For details visit navbharattimes +15, Navbharattimes +15 and hindustantimes +15 (see links for updates on navbharattimes.indiatimes +15 for updates).
Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed that emergency teams consisting of municipal authorities, police, fire brigade and National Disaster Response Force responded quickly and swiftly. Rescuers with support from residents and technical experts quickly started searching for additional survivors amid fears the death toll may increase, hindustantimes.com +7; AP News +7 and aljazeera +7 all provided accounts about rescue operations underway during these emergencies.
Previous Warnings and Political Backlash Concern over the bridge’s condition had previously raised alarm bells. Opposition parties such as Congress and AAP accused the BJP-led state government of failing to heed previous warnings that it was unsafe. “This was a disaster waiting to happen,” stated Congress leaders, emphasizing ignored safety concerns. – www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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As criticism mounted, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel initiated an immediate probe involving senior engineers and private specialists to ascertain the source and responsibility for its collapse (navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/indiatimes/4998741
Infrastructure Safety Concerns Whare Arisen This collapse adds to an alarming pattern of bridge collapses across India. A 2020 analysis identified over 2,130 collapsed bridges between 1977 and 2017, many due to structural deterioration or natural disasters (aljazeera.com; thefederal.com, abcnews.go.com).
Gujarat was home to the Morbi suspension bridge disaster of October 2022, in which 141 people lost their lives due to neglectful maintenance and outdated safety audits, similar to what occurred with Morbi. That tragedy also resulted from neglectful maintenance practices as well as outdated audits; similarly timesofindia.indiatimes.com +3 = thefederal.com = 3 and en.wikipedia = 3.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply tragic”, and announced ex gratia payments from his National Relief Fund: Rs200,000 per deceased family and Rs50,000 per injured; while also offering condolences.
washingtonpost.com | +7 | APNEWS | Tribune.com.pk — These were amongst other responses and measures announced to provide relief measures following such events.
President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah released statements commending rescue efforts while offering their sympathies to victims’ families, according to Livemint.com.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
Technical teams have been deployed to assess structural damage, collect evidence on maintenance records, design flaws or rainfall impacts as well as gather evidence to support such assessments. Meanwhile, Gujarat state government faces increasing pressure to audit infrastructure dating back to mid-1980s bridges to prevent future tragedies, to keep citizens safe. Marathi.indiatimes.com
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Tragic collapse raises urgent questions: Was the incident caused by unchecked ageing, extreme weather or human negligence? Authorities have pledged transparency and accountability; their investigation should help guide safety reforms.
As rescue operations wind down, attention will turn toward accountability, preventive infrastructure maintenance and rebuilding public trust. This disaster serves as a stark reminder of the importance of continuous oversight and investment in India’s public safety infrastructure.