The death toll from Wednesday's Mahisagar river bridge collapse in Gujarat's Vadodara district rose to 19 on Friday after another injured person died. The four-decade-old bridge, linking Anand and Vadodara, collapsed near Gambhira village, sending several vehicles into the river. The search for two missing individuals continues
Several vehicles fell into the Mahisagar river when a portion of a four-decade-old bridge collapsed in Gujarat's Vadodara district on Thursday. Pic/PTI
The death toll from the Mahisagar river bridge collapse in Gujarat's Vadodara district rose to 19 on Friday after one of the injured individuals succumbed to their injuries at a hospital, officials said, according to news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, the search for the two remaining missing persons is still underway.
Several vehicles plunged into the river after a section of the four-decade-old bridge, which connected Anand and Vadodara districts, collapsed near Gambhira village, close to Padra town, on Wednesday morning.
"Forty-five-year-old Narendrasinh Parmar, a resident of Dahevan, who was one of the five injured persons undergoing treatment at the SSG Hospital, died on Friday," an official stated.
According to PTI, 18 bodies had been recovered by Thursday night, and the operation resumed on the third day with teams at the site working to trace two more missing individuals, said Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel suspended four engineers from the state's roads and buildings department in connection with the Vadodara bridge collapse incident.
State minister Rushikesh Patel visited the site of the tragedy and informed the media that action had been taken based on a preliminary report submitted by a committee established by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Meanwhile, following the incident, a high-level probe committee from the state's roads and buildings department is set to submit a detailed report within 30 days.
During his visit, Minister Patel also mentioned that out of the 7,000 bridges surveyed in the state, the government has identified those requiring repairs or new construction, and actions are being taken accordingly, reported PTI.
"As per the preliminary report of this investigation committee, it has been recorded that the bridge collapsed due to pedestal and articulation crushing. A detailed report will be given by this committee of the Roads and Buildings Department within 30 days," he said.
The investigation report, detailing technical and administrative reasons, will be submitted to the Chief Minister, and further decisions will be made based on its findings.
However, Collector Dhameliya had earlier informed the media that the primary objective of the ongoing search and rescue operation was to recover a body believed to be trapped under a slab in the river and to locate the missing driver of a truck stuck in the water. A list of eight missing persons was compiled on Thursday, and the bodies of six of them have since been recovered.
Moreover, the operation is being carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies, with local residents also assisting in the efforts.
Meanwhile, Collector Dhameliya noted that rescue teams continue to work amidst challenging conditions, including muddy terrain, the presence of soda ash in the water, and a tanker filled with a highly corrosive substance.
He further confirmed that the tanker that fell into the river was carrying sulphuric acid, and precautions are being taken to prevent any leakage. Rescuers are also experiencing irritation and itching due to the soda ash in the water.
Moreover, earlier in the day, some trucks and two-wheelers were successfully pulled out of the water. To address the problem of mud, a temporary platform has been constructed on the riverbank using three truckloads of concrete mix for the rescue teams, an official release stated.
This incident marks another in a series of bridge collapses in Gujarat since 2021, with at least six major incidents reported.
Meanwhile, at least six major incidents of bridge collapse have taken place in Gujarat since 2021.
As, In December 2021, a slab collapsed during the construction of the Mumatpura flyover on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city. Nobody was injured in the incident.
Moreover, in October 2022, 135 persons were killed following a British-era suspension bridge over the Machchhu river in Morbi town collapsed. Where over 200 tourists were present on the bridge at that time.
While, in June 2023, a newly-built bridge on the Mindhola river in the Tapi district collapsed. However, no one was hurt in the incident.
While, in September 2023, four persons were injured after a portion of an old bridge on the Bhogavo river in Surendranagar district collapsed when a 40-ton dumper was navigating it near Wadhwan city.
In October 2023, two persons sitting in an autorickshaw died after six concrete girders or slabs, which were installed on the pillars of an under-construction bridge near the RTO Circle in Palanpur town of Banaskantha, collapsed, reported PTI.
While, in August 2024, a small bridge on the Bhogavo river connecting Habiyasar village with Chotila town in Surendranagar district collapsed after a sudden rise in water following discharge from an overflowing dam. No casualties were reported in the incident.
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