Four Vehicles Plunge as Bridge Collapses During Rush Hour in India, Multiple Fatalities Reported

Vehicles Plunge from Collapsing Bridge, Leaving at Least 9 Dead
Authorities Continue Search Operations

In Gujarat state, western India, a section of a bridge spanning a river collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people. While the exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, heavy rainfall that began several days prior to the incident is being cited as a possible factor.

According to India's PTI news agency on the 9th (local time), the Gambhira-Muzaffar Bridge, which connects Anand and Vadodara, collapsed during the morning rush hour when traffic was at its peak. The accident occurred when part of the bridge deck gave way.

On the 9th, in Bodadara, Gujarat state in western India, part of a bridge collapsed, and rescue workers are conducting search operations. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

As the bridge collapsed, four vehicles traveling on the bridge plunged into the river, and one truck was left hanging at the edge of the bridge. Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, stated that nine people died at the scene and five others were rescued by authorities. Authorities believe there may be additional missing persons and are continuing search operations.

The bridge was constructed in 1985. Although the exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, experts have analyzed that the heavy rainfall over the past few days may have exacerbated structural cracks and erosion. However, they emphasized that the cause must be identified through detailed diagnostics and on-site verification.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, describing the incident as "deeply saddening." He also ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (about 360,000 won) per bereaved family.

In India, safety accidents often occur due to poor management. In 2022, a 100-year-old suspension bridge in Gujarat collapsed, causing hundreds of people to fall into the river and resulting in 132 deaths.