Gujarat tragedy: Palanpur bridge collapse leaves one dead, 2 trapped; search and rescue ops on

An under-construction bridge partially collapsed, claiming one life with two others suspected to be trapped, on October 23, 2023, near Palanpur RTO Circle in Guajrat's Banaskantha district. Rescue operations are underway to locate and rescue the remaining individuals.

In the afternoon, six concrete girders or slabs, recently installed onto the pillars of the bridge under construction near the RTO check post, suffered a collapse.

"The girders on the bridge fell, possibly due to a mechanical failure. A team from Gandhinagar is on their way to Palanpur to conduct a technical study on this matter. One body has been retrieved from under the debris," said Varun Baranval, Collector Banaskantha-Palanpur, to ANI.

Following the tragedy, the news agency ANI also shared a video clip of the incident.

#WATCH | A portion of an under-construction bridge collapses in Gujarat's Palanpur

Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/eVPdgGsIBt

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2023

According to PTI, CCTV footage shows a person leaving his autorickshaw upon realising that a section of the bridge was on the verge of collapsing. He attempted to flee to safety but was unable to escape and became trapped beneath the massive concrete slabs.

Eyewitnesses at the scene informed PTI that there may be two more individuals buried in the wreckage, as a tractor was also crushed alongside the autorickshaw.

"This is a railway overbridge connecting Ambaji with Palanpur. After the six girders collapsed, we started a search and rescue operation. So far, one body has been recovered. There is no point in assuming how many more are still trapped. Our work to remove the debris is on," Collector Baranwal added.

Amit Chawda from the Indian National Congress in Gujarat expressed concern over the collapse, attributing it to alleged corruption in the project. Questions now arise about potential repercussions for responsible officials.

"This is not just a bridge collapse, but a result of corruption. Now, will the officers be changed again? Will they be reprimanded?" Chawda added.