“Tragic accident in Gujarat: 9 killed after multiple vehicles plunge into river following sudden bridge collapse. Rescue operations underway.

Tragedy in Gujarat: 9 Dead After Bridge Collapse Sends Vehicles Plunging Into River

Multiple Vehicles Fall Into River As Bridge Collapses in Gujarat’s Surendranagar District

In a devastating incident from Gujarat, at least nine people have been confirmed dead after a bridge collapsed in Surendranagar district, sending multiple vehicles plunging into the river below. The tragic accident occurred on Tuesday evening, leaving the entire region in shock and mourning.

How the Incident Unfolded

The bridge, located near the village of Wavdi in Surendranagar district, was a key connector between several villages and the main highway. According to eyewitnesses, the bridge collapsed suddenly while several vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, were crossing it.

Preliminary reports suggest that the bridge may have been weakened due to recent heavy rains in the region. The sudden collapse caused at least five vehicles to fall into the swollen river beneath.

Local villagers, who were the first to reach the spot, immediately began rescue operations, pulling people out of the river while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Rescue Operations Launched Swiftly

As soon as news of the collapse spread, police and district administration teams rushed to the site. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also called in to assist with search and rescue operations.

According to Surendranagar district officials, nine people were confirmed dead by Tuesday night, and several others were injured. Divers from the fire department and NDRF teams worked tirelessly through the evening, searching for those who were still missing.

An officer involved in the rescue operations said,

“Due to the strong current and murky water, the search was difficult, but we managed to pull out several victims. Unfortunately, nine lives were lost in this incident.”

Victims Include Women and Children

Among the deceased are women and children, making the tragedy even more heart-wrenching. Authorities have confirmed that the identities of all victims have been established, and their families have been informed.

Several injured individuals were rushed to the nearby government hospital for treatment. Medical teams have been mobilized to provide necessary care, and some critically injured patients were shifted to better-equipped hospitals in Rajkot and Ahmedabad.

Initial Findings Point To Structural Weakness

Preliminary investigations suggest that the bridge, which was several decades old, may have had underlying structural weaknesses. Local residents reported that cracks had been visible on the bridge for quite some time, and repeated complaints had been made to the authorities.

A senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) said,

“We had received complaints regarding the condition of this bridge, and a survey was planned. Unfortunately, this tragic incident occurred before we could take corrective action.”

Government Announces Ex-Gratia Compensation

Following the incident, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed deep sorrow and ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the bridge collapse. He also announced ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased.

In a statement posted on social media, the Chief Minister said,

“I am deeply pained by the tragic incident in Surendranagar. My condolences to the bereaved families. The government will provide financial assistance of ₹4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured.”

He further assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for negligence in the maintenance of the bridge.

Opposition Slams Government Over Negligence

Opposition leaders in Gujarat were quick to criticize the state government for the alleged negligence that led to the tragedy. Several leaders pointed out that this was not the first incident of infrastructure collapse in the state.

Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil accused the government of ignoring public safety, stating,

“How many more lives need to be lost before the government wakes up? This bridge collapse is a clear example of poor governance and lack of timely action.”

Social media users also expressed outrage, with many demanding accountability from officials responsible for infrastructure maintenance.

History of Bridge Collapses Raises Alarms

This incident has once again raised questions about the safety of aging infrastructure in Gujarat. In recent years, the state has witnessed multiple incidents of bridge collapses, leading to loss of lives and property.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred in October 2022, when the Morbi suspension bridge collapse claimed over 130 lives. That incident had also exposed lapses in bridge maintenance and safety checks.

Experts have called for urgent action to inspect and repair old bridges across the state to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

In the wake of the Surendranagar bridge collapse, the state government has ordered an immediate safety audit of all old and vulnerable bridges across Gujarat.

PWD Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya stated,

“All district administrations have been directed to conduct structural audits of bridges in their respective regions within the next 15 days. We will ensure that necessary repair works are completed urgently.”

The government has also appealed to the public to avoid using bridges that show signs of damage and to immediately report any structural concerns to local authorities.

The Surendranagar bridge collapse serves as a grim reminder of the importance of regular infrastructure inspections and timely maintenance. As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, questions remain over accountability, negligence, and the safety of thousands of other such bridges across India.

Authorities have pledged action, but for the grieving families, these promises offer little solace in the face of such an irreversible tragedy.

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