A bridge collapsed under a 16-wheeled tanker and its front wheels; video of the accident in Vadodara goes viral:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Many vehicles fell into the river after a part of the Gambhira bridge collapsed in Vadodara district of Gujarat. 13 people died in the accident. The video after this accident has gone viral. In it, it can be seen that the entire slab between the two pillars of the bridge has collapsed.

In the video, it can be seen that two wheels of a 16-wheeled tanker are resting on the damaged slab stuck on the pillar. The rest of the part is on the bridge. Fortunately, the driver riding in it survived.

According to news agency PTI, Gujarat Health Minister Rishikesh Patel said about the accident that five to six vehicles fell into the Mahisagar river after a slab of the Gambhira bridge collapsed.

The bridge was built 40 years ago

The Gambhira bridge over the Mahisagar river connects central Gujarat and the Saurashtra region of the state. The minister said the bridge was constructed in 1985 and was maintained from time to time as and when required. "The actual cause of the incident will be investigated," the minister said. The nearly 900-metre-long Gambhira bridge has 23 pillars and connects Vadodara and Anand districts of Gujarat.

Padra Police Inspector Vijay Charan had earlier said that the incident took place around 7.30 am. Some vehicles, including two trucks and two vans, fell into the river. An official said that rescue operations are being carried out with the help of the Vadodara Fire Department team and local people.

PM Modi spoke to the CM

After the Gambhira bridge accident, PM Modi spoke to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over the phone. The CM has given this information on X. He said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to me over the telephone during his foreign trip and got full information about the accident on the Gambhira bridge connecting Anand-Vadodara and expressed his condolences to the people killed in this accident."

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that PM Modi has announced compensation for those killed and injured in the accident. The PMO said that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the families of each deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.

CM ordered an inquiry

The CM said, "The tragedy caused by the collapse of a slab of the Gambhira bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara is sad. I pray for the peace of the souls of those killed in this accident. I have spoken to the Vadodara Collector and instructed to arrange for immediate treatment of the injured and make arrangements on priority basis."

Bhupendra Patel said, "The local municipality and Vadodara Municipal Corporation fire brigade team are engaged in rescue and relief operations at the accident site with boats and swimmers, and the NDRF team has also reached the spot and joined the rescue operation. The road construction department has been ordered to investigate this accident immediately."