At least 12 killed as bridge collapses near Vadodara

At least 12 people died when a portion of a 40-year-old bridge collapsed during morning rush hour on Wednesday, sending five vehicles crashing into the Mahisagar River in Vadodara district of Gujarat.

- HT Correspondent

Two lorries, an SUV, a pickup van and an auto-rickshaw fell into the water after a span of the Gambhira Bridge gave way at Padra. Dramatic visuals of a tanker hanging precariously from the damaged structure went viral on social media.

Vadodara district collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed that 12 bodies had been recovered, whilst five people were rescued and hospitalised. Two sustained minor injuries and three have since recovered. Officials feared the death toll could rise as search operations continued.

The 1985-built bridge, which connects Anand and Vadodara districts, had been increasingly used by heavy lorries seeking to avoid tolls on the six-lane Mumbai-Ahmedabad national highway—a detour that shortened their journey by 30-35 kilometres, locals said.