Vadodara Bridge Collapse Horror: Bridge Breaks Apart, Vehicles Plunge Into River — 3 Dead, Rescue Operations Underway

In a horrifying incident that has jolted Gujarat, a bridge in Vadodara collapsed on Tuesday evening, sending several vehicles plunging into the river below and claiming the lives of three people. The tragic event, which unfolded in mere seconds, has sparked outrage, fear, and fresh demands for answers over crumbling infrastructure and official negligence.

The bridge, located near the Ajwa-Nimeta stretch, is a vital link for both daily commuters and transporters connecting Vadodara’s city center to nearby rural districts. But now it lies in shattered ruins — concrete torn apart, metal twisted, and hearts broken.

THE COLLAPSE: “IT FELL LIKE A HOUSE OF CARDS”

According to eyewitnesses, the collapse occurred around 4:45 PM, during moderate traffic. Locals heard a loud cracking sound, followed by a terrifying rumble as a massive portion of the bridge suddenly gave way, dragging down at least three vehicles, including a hatchback, a bike, and a delivery van.

“We heard a boom and saw the bridge crumble in front of our eyes,” said Sunita Rawal, a fruit vendor stationed nearby. “One second the vehicles were there. The next, they were under water.”

The crash sent waves of panic through the area, with screams echoing as stunned bystanders rushed toward the site.

RESCUE EFFORTS: RACE AGAINST TIME

Emergency services, including the NDRF, fire brigade, and local police, arrived at the scene within 30 minutes. Boats, divers, and cranes were deployed immediately to locate survivors and retrieve the vehicles from the fast-flowing river.

Tragically, three bodies have been recovered so far — two men and one woman, all believed to be local residents returning home from work. Their families were notified as grief-stricken scenes unfolded outside Sayaji Hospital, where the victims were taken.

“The bodies were found trapped inside the sunken vehicles,” said NDRF officer Rajeev Solanki. “Strong currents and poor visibility made the rescue extremely difficult.”

Authorities fear that more victims could still be trapped in the submerged rubble and have vowed to continue search operations through the night.

ANGER ERUPTS: “THEY IGNORED ALL THE SIGNS!”

What has truly enraged locals is the fact that warnings about the bridge’s condition had been raised for months. Residents claim visible cracks, loose railings, and creaking noises were reported repeatedly to municipal authorities — but no action was taken.

“This is murder, not an accident,” said local activist Harsh Mehta. “They let this happen. People died because of criminal negligence.”

Residents of nearby colonies staged a flash protest, demanding accountability from the Public Works Department and immediate arrests of officials responsible for maintenance.

GOVERNMENT REACTS: PROMISES, BUT NO RELIEF

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased. He also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and the suspension of engineers linked to the bridge’s upkeep.

“The safety of Gujarat’s citizens is my top priority,” he said. “Those guilty will not be spared.”

However, opposition parties were quick to criticize the administration.

“From Morbi to Vadodara, bridges are falling like matchsticks,” said Congress spokesperson Hiren Solanki. “This government is building statues, not safety.”

SOCIAL MEDIA OUTRAGE: #BridgeCollapse Trends Nationwide

As video clips of the mangled bridge and submerged vehicles flooded the internet, public outrage exploded. The hashtag #BridgeCollapse was trending within an hour, with thousands questioning how such a failure could happen again — especially after the Morbi bridge disaster in 2022.

“How many more have to die before they wake up?” one tweet read.
Another added: “We don’t need apologies. We need accountability.”

FINAL WORD: A CITY IN GRIEF, A STATE ON EDGE

As families bury their dead and divers continue to search through the wreckage, Vadodara is mourning — and seething. This wasn’t just a collapse of steel and cement — it was a collapse of trust.

And until those responsible are held to account, every bridge in Gujarat now feels like a gamble with people’s lives.