By Tejas Vaidya, BBC Gujarati

Survivors of a tragic bridge collapse in Gujarat, India, that claimed at least 15 lives on Wednesday, have described the moment of disaster as sounding like a massive explosion or earthquake.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, with state officials pledging a thorough inquiry. The 40-year-old bridge, connecting Vadodara district with central Gujarat, saw frequent traffic and was a key transit route across the Mahisagar River.

Anwarbhai, who was driving a van with two passengers at the time, said the collapse happened suddenly.
“There was a loud, explosion-like sound behind us, and the bridge gave way,” he told BBC Gujarati. “Our van started rolling backward. We jumped out just in time.”

Dramatic images from the scene showed vehicles hanging precariously off the broken edge of the bridge, while others had plunged into the river below. Among those submerged were trucks, cars, and a tuktuk.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with at least four people still missing. Surender Singh, a senior official with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), confirmed, “Our top priority is to recover survivors and victims as quickly as possible.”

One of the most heartbreaking stories is that of Sonalben Padhiyar, the sole survivor from her family. She was in a car that fell headfirst into the river.
“I was sitting in the back seat when we went down,” she told the Indian Express. In a widely shared video, she can be seen distraught, screaming for help and begging for her son to be saved. She later said she cried out for a long time before anyone reached her. Six members of her family perished.

Another survivor, Dilipsinh Padhiyar (no relation to Sonalben), was heading home after a night shift on his two-wheeler when the bridge gave way beneath him.
“I felt the bridge vibrate, and the next thing I knew, I was falling,” he recounted. Injured but conscious, he clung to a metal rod until local fishermen came to his rescue.

Witnesses said the ground shook violently as the bridge collapsed, leading to panic and chaos.
Local resident Jairaj Singh rushed to the site after receiving a call from a friend.
“We didn’t wait. We started pulling people out with ropes. Everyone from the area pitched in to help,” he said.

The collapse has ignited a political controversy. Locals say they had repeatedly warned about the deteriorating condition of the bridge.
“It would shake when trucks passed,” said Ravibhai, a resident.
Abhesinh Parmar, a local village head, added: “The bridge had potholes and exposed rods. It was falling apart, and we complained many times—but no one listened.”

However, state government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel denied these claims.
“The bridge was regularly inspected and repaired,” he insisted. “In fact, the chief minister had already approved plans to dismantle it and build a new one. The tender was about to be issued.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat, expressed his condolences and announced compensation for victims’ families.

The tragedy is yet another reminder of India’s aging and often neglected infrastructure. In 2022, 135 people died when a 137-year-old suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi town, days after reopening post-repairs.

As rescue teams search for survivors and families mourn their loved ones, questions continue to mount over accountability and the urgent need for infrastructure reform.