Vadodara bridge collapse: Preliminary report cites ‘crushing of pedestal and articulation’ as death toll climbs 19

The death toll in the Mahisagar river bridge collapse in Gujarat's Vadodara district climbed to 19 on Friday after one of the injured persons succumbed to injuries at a hospital

A preliminary report by the high-level inquiry committee constituted by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that the collapse of the Gambhira bridge in Mujpur village of Padra taluka, Vadodara district, occurred due to “crushing of the pedestal and articulation.”

According to a report in The Indian Express, an official release on Friday said that the committee, formed by the state Roads and Buildings Department, will submit a detailed report to the Chief Minister within 30 days.

The report quoting Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, also a government spokesperson, said it will include both technical and administrative reasons for the collapse, based on which further action will be taken.

The death toll in the Mahisagar river bridge collapse in Gujarat's Vadodara district climbed to 19 on Friday after one of the injured persons succumbed to injuries at a hospital, officials said.

The search for the two missing persons is still underway, they said.

Several vehicles plunged into the river after a segment of the four-decade-old bridge, connecting Anand and Vadodara districts, collapsed near Gambhira village close to Padra town on Wednesday morning.

"Forty five-year-old Narendrasinh Parmar, a resident of Dahevan, who was one of the five injured persons undergoing treatment at the SSG Hospital died on Friday," an official said.

Eighteen bodies were recovered till Thursday night, and the operation resumed on the third day with efforts being made by the teams engaged at the site to trace two more persons, who are missing, Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya said.

Patel met the injured and enquired about their health at SSG Hospital. According to ANI, the minister also met their families.

“Instructions have been given to the hospital administration to provide the best possible treatment to the injured,” he said.

He also said that four officials from the department had been suspended for negligence. “Further action will be taken wherever required,” he said.

Patel said search and rescue operations were in their final stages, with all vehicles that had fallen from the bridge recovered. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their families, said the report.