He recalled the terrifying moment his truck suddenly dropped into the river
Digital Desk: At least 10 people, including three members of the same family, lost their lives, and nine others were injured after a 43-year-old bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Vadodara district early Wednesday morning. Several cars, including a truck, van, and a car, were thrown into the Mahisagar River after the bridge connecting Gambhira-Mujpur crumbled suddenly at about 7.30 AM.
The grisly incident occurred in the Mujpur village of Padra taluka. The bridge, which played a major role in connecting Vadodara and Anand districts, also connected Central Gujarat with Saurashtra. There is immediate deployment of rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), which are continuing the search and rescue operation. The law enforcement authorities fear that three other people could be missing.
Rohan Anand, Superintendent of Police, Vadodara, confirmed the death toll and stated that a case of accidental death has been registered. He added that a formal investigation will begin once the rescue operations conclude. “We have requested an inquiry report from the district collector.” The bodies of the deceased have been sent to Padra Referral Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Among the survivors is a truck driver from Dwarka, Raju Hathiya. He remembered the terrifying moment when his truck just fell into the river. At least three vehicles, he said, and two bicycles, were on the bridge when it collapsed.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who is on an international visit, has called the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, to assess the situation and ensure proper relief efforts
The collapse has raised serious concerns about the condition of aging infrastructure in the region.