Survivors of a tragic bridge collapse in Gujarat, India, have described a terrifying scene of chaos as at least 15 people lost their lives and many others are still missing after the bridge gave way. Witnesses reported that the sound was initially mistaken for an explosion or earthquake. Among the survivors, Anwarbhai, who was driving a van with two passengers, recalled the moment the bridge behind him collapsed into the Mahisagar river, describing how the deafening crack startled him as his vehicle began to roll backward. "There was a huge explosion-like sound, and part of the bridge collapsed behind us. Our van also started rolling backwards," he shared with BBC Gujarati.
The bridge, which connected Vadodara district with central Gujarat, was a busy transit route. Dramatic footage from the scene captured a truck precariously balancing on the edge of the broken structure, while several other vehicles plunged into the water below. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, with four individuals still unaccounted for. Surender Singh from the National Disaster Response Force emphasized the urgency of the recovery efforts.
Among the survivors, Sonalben Padhiyar recounted her harrowing experience of being the only family member to survive after their car fell into the river. In a poignant moment, she was seen in a viral video desperately calling for help for her son. She later revealed that she had lost six family members in the incident. Dilipsinh Padhiyar, another survivor, was commuting home from work when the bridge collapsed. He described a sudden vibration before the structure crumbled, leading to a fall into the river.
Witnesses likened the collapse to an earthquake as multiple vehicles crashed down. Local residents quickly rallied to assist with rescue efforts, despite the chaos. Eyewitness Jairaj Singh mentioned receiving a call from a friend that prompted him to rush to the disaster site, where he helped pull vehicles from the river.
The disaster has ignited a political controversy, with locals alleging they had raised concerns about the bridge's poor condition, which was reportedly exacerbated by heavy vehicles. Ravibhai, a local resident, highlighted that the bridge shook under heavy traffic, while Abhesinh Parmar, a local council chief, criticized the lack of maintenance progress. In contrast, Gujarat government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel stated that regular inspections and repairs had been conducted and plans were underway for a new bridge approved by the Chief Minister.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and offered compensation to the victims' families. This tragic event adds to the growing concern surrounding aging infrastructure in India, which has previously seen catastrophic failures, including the Morbi bridge collapse in 2022 that resulted in the deaths of roughly 135 people.
