In a sudden and tragic incident on Wednesday morning, the decades-old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Padra taluka collapsed without warning. As a result, two trucks, a Bolero jeep, and an Eco car plunged into the river. The accident killed nine people, including a child, and left nearby communities in shock.

Villagers Rush to Save Lives

Immediately after the collapse, locals from Mujpur village rushed to the scene. Without waiting for emergency services, they used ropes and bravery to rescue three people from the fast-flowing river. Their quick action saved lives before rescue teams arrived.

Repeated Warnings Ignored for Years

For nearly seven years, residents had warned the government about the bridge’s poor condition. Jashpalsinh Padhiar, a local who led several petitions, voiced his frustration. “We were making representations for the last 6-7 years to construct a new bridge. Nobody listened. And now we’ve paid the price with lives,” he said. He called the bridge a “ticking time bomb.”

Although residents repeatedly reported the danger, officials took no action. The bridge, known for both its age and use as a suicide spot, finally gave way — cutting off a vital link between Central Gujarat and Saurashtra. Major cities like Vadodara, Anand, Bharuch, and Ankleshwar are now disconnected.

Fire Teams Lead Massive Rescue Operation

Soon after the alert, Vadodara Fire Chief Manoj Patil sent three rescue teams to the site. “Our priority was saving lives. It’s tragic that despite our best efforts, two lives were lost,” he said. More than 100 villagers joined fire officials and emergency teams to assist in the rescue operation.

Out of the ten people in the vehicles, rescuers saved eight. They sent six of the injured to Padra Hospital. Two critically hurt — Rajubhai Hatia and Dilipbhai Padhiyar — were shifted to Sayaji Hospital in Vadodara.

Child Among the Victims

While pulling the Eco car from the river with ropes, rescuers found the lifeless body of a child along with six others. The heartbreaking discovery brought grief and outrage to those watching.

Locals Demand Immediate Action

Anger is now spreading among locals who blame the government for negligence. “The bridge should’ve been closed long ago,” said Arjunsinh Padhiyar. Many residents are demanding accountability and swift action to prevent future tragedies.

Authorities Launch Investigation

Soon after the incident, Padra Mamlatdar and other district officials reached the site. They announced a formal inquiry into the collapse. Meanwhile, eight ambulances — six from Vadodara and two from Anand — supported the rescue operation.

As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, the community is calling for justice, better infrastructure, and accountability from officials who ignored repeated warnings.