Gujarat bridge collapse: Toll climbs to 16, rescue operations continue; 4 still missing
VADODARA: The death toll in the Gambhira bridge collapse incident in Gujarat's Vadodara rose to 16 on Thursday after three more bodies were recovered from the accident site, officials confirmed.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as four people remain unaccounted for.
A portion of the Gambhira bridge, which connects Vadodara and Anand, collapsed on Wednesday, sending vehicles plummeting into the Mahisagar river below.
Vadodara collector Anil Dhameliya told reporters that teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are continuing search operations, covering up to 4km downstream.
He added that an empty tanker is still precariously positioned on the collapsed structure.
'Stabilisation work is underway as rescue operations are being carried out beneath the bridge. Moving the tanker without caution could cause it to fall,' he said after inspecting the site.
Senior officials from the local administration, including the district collector, have been on-site since Wednesday, overseeing relief and rescue efforts.
Vadodara superintendent of police Rohan Anand said earlier that a 10-15 metre section of the bridge had caved in. Two trucks, two pickup vans, and a rickshaw fell into the river, while two vehicles remain stranded on the bridge.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel also declared financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
(With agency inputs)
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