Ten dead after bridge collapses in India's Gujarat, NDTV reports

At least nine people have died after a bridge collapsed over a river in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Wednesday, according to local police quoted by the Press Trust of India.

The incident occurred in the Vadodara district, which has been experiencing heavy rainfall in recent days. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed that several vehicles were crossing the bridge when a section gave way, plunging them into the river below. He said at least five people have been rescued so far.

The bridge, built in 1985, became structurally compromised during the recent downpours, though the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, describing the event as “deeply saddening” and extending condolences to the families of the victims.

India’s infrastructure has frequently faced scrutiny over safety standards, with outdated bridges and roads often at risk. In 2022, Gujarat witnessed one of the deadliest bridge disasters in recent memory when a century-old suspension bridge collapsed, killing at least 132 people.

Emergency teams continue to search the river for any remaining survivors, while authorities have launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

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