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{{Short description|Bridge collapse in Gujarat, India}}
{{Infobox event
| name = Gambhira Bridge collapse
| image =
| caption =
| date = {{Start date|2025|07|09|df=yes}}
| time = 7:30 a.m. [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] (UTC+05:30)
| location = [[Padra]], [[Vadodara district]], Gujarat, India
| coordinates = {{coord|22.2632|72.9984|type:event_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| cause = [[Structural integrity and failure|Structural failure]]
| injuries = Dozens
| deaths = 22
}}

The '''Gambhira Bridge collapse''' occurred on 9 July 2025 in [[Padra]], [[Gujarat]], India, resulting in 22 deaths and several injuries. While the official cause of the collapse is under investigation, it is believed to have been caused by a [[Structural integrity and failure|structural failure]] brought on by a combination of heavy use and inadequate maintenance.

The collapse led to an investigation to be launched by [[Bhupendra Patel]], the [[Chief Minister of Gujarat]], and Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] to pay a compensation of {{INRConvert|200000|lk=on|year=2025}} for the families of the deceased. Seven days after the accident on 16 July, more than 1,800 bridges across Gujarat had their structures inspected to prevent similar incidents, resulting in the closure of 20 bridges completely and 113 partially for heavy vehicles.

== Background ==
The Gambhira Bridge is a concrete road bridge located in [[Padra]], [[Vadodara district]], [[Gujarat]], India. Built in 1985, it spanned several hundreds of meters over the [[Mahi River]], connecting Mujpur village in Padra taluka with Gambhira in [[Anand district]]. The bridge serves as a key route between [[Central Gujarat]] and the [[Saurashtra region]].

== Collapse ==
At approximately 7:30 a.m. on 9 July 2025,<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2025 |title=What happened after Vadodara bridge collapse: Minutes of horror in Gujarat mishap |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gambhira-bridge-collapse-what-happened-in-the-minutes-after-vadodara-tragedy-101752066920929.html |access-date=12 July 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gujarat Bridge Collapse: What We Know About Vadodara's Gambhira Bridge Tragedy That Killed Nine |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/gujarat/gujarat-bridge-collapse-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-incident-that-killed-9-in-vadodara-3622194 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=Deccan Herald}}</ref> a portion of the bridge collapse during peak traffic hours, causing multiple vehicles to plunge into the Mahi River. The collapse resulted in at least 22 deaths and nine injuries.<ref name="NDTV2025">{{cite news |title='Crumbling' Gujarat Bridge Was 40 Years Old, Gave Way In Peak Traffic Hours |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-bridge-collapse-crumbling-gambhira-bridge-was-40-years-old-gave-way-in-peak-traffic-hours-mahisagar-river-cars-deaths-news-vadodara-8847480 |publisher=NDTV |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="IE2025">{{cite news |last=Raja |first=Aditi |title=12 killed as vehicles fall into river after bridge collapses in Gujarat's Vadodara |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/vadodara-bridge-collapse-deaths-injuries-vehicles-into-river-10115157/ |work=The Indian Express |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="IF2025">{{Cite news |last=Pathak |first=Maulik |date=6 August 2025 |title=Tanker hanging from Gujarat’s Gambhira bridge retrieved, death toll rises to 22 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tanker-hanging-from-gujarat-s-gambhira-bridge-retrieved-death-toll-rises-to-22-101754488732374.html |access-date=10 August 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> According to officials, four vehicles—including two trucks, a pickup van, and a micro van—along with two motorcycles, were on the bridge when a slab between two piers gave way.<ref name="IE2025" /> A survivor reported hearing a loud cracking noise before her vehicle plunged into the water.<ref name="IE2025" /> Eyewitness videos showed a tanker left dangling precariously at the edge of the collapsed section, and rescue teams reported hearing cries for help from those trapped inside submerged vehicles.<ref name="IE2025" />

On 10 July the death toll rose to 18.<ref name="16 dead">{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2025 |title=Gujarat bridge collapse toll rises to 18, 4 engineers suspended |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gujarat-bridge-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-15-12th-incident-in-five-years-2753570-2025-07-10 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[India Today]]}}</ref> On 11 July the death toll rose to 21, after a man died in the Sayaji hospital and two bodies were found under the debris.<ref name=TBT>[https://theblunttimes.in/gambhira-bridge-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-21-locals-slam-minister/49064/ Gambhira Bridge Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 21, Locals Slam Minister]</ref> On 5 August the death toll rises to 22 after a man succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.<ref name="IF2025" />

=== Rescue and emergency response ===
Personnel from the [[National Disaster Response Force]] (NDRF) and [[State Disaster Response Force (Assam)|State Disaster Response Force]] (SDRF), along with local fire brigades and divers, were deployed to the site for search and rescue operations. At least ten people were rescued from the river.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 9, 2025 |title=Gujarat bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 13; rescue operations continue |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/watch-rescue-teams-try-to-pull-out-truck-after-gujarat-bridge-collapse-10-dead-several-injured/articleshow/122342737.cms |access-date=July 9, 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Four people were reported missing as of July 10.<ref name="16 dead" /> Local hospitals, including Padra Referral Hospital and SSG Hospital in Vadodara, received the injured and the deceased for treatment and autopsy.<ref name="IE2025" />

=== Official responses ===
The [[Chief Minister of Gujarat]], [[Bhupendra Patel]], ordered an immediate investigation and mobilized emergency services. He also instructed the [[Vadodara]] Collector to ensure timely medical treatment for the injured.<ref name="NDTV2025" />

Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s office announced compensation of {{INRConvert|200000|lk=on|year=2025}} for the families of the deceased and {{INRConvert|50000|year=2025}} for the injured, from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.<ref name="NDTV2025" />

=== Aftermath and investigation ===

[[File:Vishwamitri-river-1.jpg|thumb|Similar bridge over the over the [[Mahi River]] in [[Vadodara district]].]]

According to [[Rushikesh Patel]], the Health Minister of Gujarat, the bridge was originally constructed in 1985 and underwent periodic maintenance. However, local residents had reportedly warned authorities about the deteriorating condition of the bridge for several years.<ref name="NDTV2025" /> The [[Vadodara]] district police registered a case of accidental death and announced a formal inquiry to determine the cause of the collapse.<ref name="IE2025" /> The Road and Building Department also launched a technical probe into the structural failure.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

Initial findings revealed there were shortcomings in maintenance and supervision of the bridge. As a result, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has suspended on 10 July four engineers from the Roads and Buildings Department. Patel has also called for a high-level probe into the structural failure of the bridge.<ref>[https://indianmasterminds.com/news/swift-action-gujarat-cm-suspends-4-officials-over-mujpur-gambhira-bridge-collapse-orders-statewide-inspections-128758/ Swift Action: Gujarat CM Suspends 4 Officials Over Mujpur-Gambhira Bridge Collapse, Orders Statewide Inspections]</ref>

More than 1800 bridges across Gujarat were inspected. 20 bridges were completely closed and 113 were partially closed for heavy vehicles following the assessment as precaution.<ref>{{cite web | title=133 bridges closed across Gujarat for traffic movement | date=16 July 2025 | url=https://deshgujarat.com/2025/07/16/133-bridges-closed-across-gujarat-for-traffic-movement/ }}</ref>

=== Victims ===
Among the deceased were three members of the Parmar family, Hasmukh Parmar of Majatan, Vakhatsinh Jadav of Kahanva, and Pravin Jadav of Undel village.<ref name="IE2025" /> Injured victims included Sonal Padhiyar, the sole survivor from the van she traveled in, along with several others whose identities were later confirmed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-09 |title=10, including 3 of a family, killed as multiple vehicles plunge into river after bridge collapses in Gujarat's Vadodara |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/vadodara-bridge-collapse-deaths-injuries-vehicles-into-river-10115157/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> Children were among the victims.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 9, 2025 |title=Key questions answered about Gujarat bridge collapse that left 11 dead |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bridge-collapses-in-2025-what-you-need-to-know-10116012/ |access-date=July 9, 2025 |publisher=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> A man from [[Borsad]] died in Sayaji hospital on 11 July.<ref name=TBT /> Another man who succumbed to his injuries in a hospital on August 5. Dilip Padhiyar (34), also a resident of [[Borsad]] taluka of Anand district, died during treatment at the government-run SSG Hospital.<ref name="IF2025"/>

== See also ==
{{Portal|India}}
* [[2022 Morbi bridge collapse]]
* [[List of bridge failures]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Disasters in India in 2025}}
{{2020s building and structure collapses}}

[[Category:2025 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2025 road incidents in Asia]]
[[Category:2020s in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Bridge collapses]]
[[Category:Bridge disasters in India]]
[[Category:Bridges in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Building and structure collapses in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in Gujarat]]
[[Category:July 2025 in India]]
[[Category:Vadodara district]]

Gambhira Bridge collapse - Revision history

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