Rescue operations continue in Vadodara following the tragic collapse of the Gambhira River bridge on July 9. Officials have confirmed that 15 people have died so far, while at least three individuals remain missing. The search and recovery effort is still underway.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with local authorities, are working tirelessly along a four-kilometre stretch downstream from the collapse site. So far, more than eight people have been rescued alive.
District Collector Dr. Anil Dhameliya provided a detailed update, stating that three additional bodies were recovered on Thursday morning, bringing the death toll to 15. Search teams are still looking for three people and two missing vehicles &mdash; a car and an Eicher tempo. The tempo is believed to be buried in thick mud, which is slowing recovery efforts.
An empty chemical tanker remains suspended from the edge of the broken bridge. Authorities are working cautiously to prevent it from falling and worsening the situation below.
Dr. Dhameliya urged the public to report any information about missing persons to aid rescue teams. &ldquo;Each lead can make a difference,&rdquo; he said.
The Padra Police have filed a case of accidental death, based on a complaint by Arjunsinh Madhavsinh Padhiar, a local resident from Dariyapura near Mujpur. A full investigation will begin once the rescue phase concludes.
Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams are on standby to collect structural evidence. Investigators will also gather statements from survivors and victims&rsquo; families to assist the probe.
Environmental concerns have also emerged. One of the vehicles submerged in the river was reportedly transporting chemicals. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has conducted an on-site inspection and activated emergency response protocols to contain potential contamination.
The Gambhira Bridge, which was built over 40 years ago, had shown signs of aging in recent years. Local residents had frequently raised concerns about its safety, warning authorities of visible deterioration. Despite these alerts, no major maintenance or safety audits were carried out.
The bridge was a vital route, linking rural areas of Vadodara district with commercial corridors in Saurashtra. Heavy monsoon rains in recent weeks may have further weakened its foundation, contributing to the collapse.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud cracking sound just before the structure gave way, suggesting a sudden structural failure. Many locals and activists have accused authorities of ignoring repeated calls for repair and inspection.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of demolishing parts of the remaining bridge structure if further safety risks are identified. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Rescue teams search for survivors after Vadodara bridge collapse; chemical spill fears spark alerts

Gambhira Bridge Collapse: 15 Dead, 3 Missing

Rescue teams search for survivors after Vadodara bridge collapse; chemical spill fears spark alerts

July 10, 2025 | 20:25 IST