The number of dead has increased to 15 with the recovery of three more bodies in the Gambhira bridge collapse in Vadodara, Gujarat. An official gave this information on Thursday. Rescue work is currently underway, as four people are still missing.
A part of the Gambhra bridge connecting Vadodara and Anand broke down a day earlier and fell into the Mahisagar river.
Vadodara collector Anil Dhelia told reporters, “Today, the number of dead has gone up to 15 with the recovery of three more bodies. Four people are still missing. National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Forces are running a search and rescue operations up to 4 kilometers below. Two vehicles are stuck in mud at the scene. We are taking information about those vehicles and the river is raining.”
Regarding the truck hanging from the bridge, he said, “This is an empty tanker. If we shake it it can fall. The process of stabilizing the tanker is going on and the rescue operation is going on under the bridge.” He told reporters after visiting the spot.
Collector and other local administration officials are taking stock of relief and rescue operations here since yesterday. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is also conducting rescue and relief operations on the second day of the incident.
Vadodara Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohan Anand said on Wednesday that a slab of 10-15 meters in the middle of the bridge has collapsed. Two trucks, two pickup vans and a rickshaw fell into the river, while two vehicles are trapped on the bridge itself.
He said that nine people have been rescued, five of which have been referred to SSG Hospital. He said a day earlier, “The condition of none of the rescued people is critical.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a compensation of Rs 2-2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of the deceased in the bridge accident. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
