Gujarat Bridge Collapse: 9 Dead After Vehicles Fall Into River in Bharuch District

Gujarat | July 9, 2025 — In a heart-wrenching tragedy on Tuesday evening, at least nine people lost their lives after a bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Bharuch district, sending multiple vehicles tumbling into the Narmada River. The incident took place around 6:45 PM when a section of the Kalak Dam Bridge gave way unexpectedly, plunging at least four vehicles—including a passenger van and motorcycles—into the swollen river waters below. Eyewitnesses reported that the bridge shuddered and cracked moments before it collapsed, leaving no time for the drivers to react.

Local authorities quickly launched a large-scale rescue operation with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local emergency services rushing to the scene. Divers, rescue boats, cranes, and drones were deployed to search for survivors and recover bodies. According to official sources, nine people were confirmed dead, twelve others were injured—two critically—and three remain missing as of the latest update.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his condolences and announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured. “This is a deeply unfortunate tragedy. I have ordered a high-level inquiry into the bridge collapse,” the Chief Minister said in a statement late Tuesday night. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his grief and assured full support from the Centre.

Preliminary reports suggest that structural damage to the decades-old bridge may have been a contributing factor. Locals claim that despite repeated complaints regarding visible cracks and instability, no maintenance or repair work had been undertaken in recent years. A retired Public Works Department (PWD) engineer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the foundation of the bridge had been weakening over time and was further compromised by the ongoing monsoon rains.

An FIR has been filed against unidentified officials from the PWD and the contractor responsible for previous repair work. Authorities are now investigating whether negligence, poor construction quality, or lack of timely inspections played a role in the tragedy. The Gujarat government has promised strict action against those found guilty.

This tragic event comes amid growing concerns about infrastructure safety in India. The collapse of the Kalak Dam Bridge draws disturbing parallels with the 2022 Morbi bridge disaster, which claimed more than 140 lives. These repeated failures highlight the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure audits and immediate repair of aging structures.

Social media platforms were flooded with images and videos of the aftermath, showing submerged vehicles being pulled from the river and emotional scenes as families of the victims gathered at the site. Hashtags such as #GujaratBridgeCollapse and #InfrastructureNegligence trended on platforms like X and Instagram, with citizens and activists demanding accountability and swift reforms.

As rescue operations continue and the search for missing persons intensifies, the focus remains on relief, recovery, and delivering justice. The Gujarat administration, under increasing public scrutiny, has assured a thorough investigation to prevent such tragedies in the future.