"Around nine people have been rescued": SP Rohan Anand on rescue operations after Vadodara Bridge Collapse

Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], July 9 (ANI): Vadodara Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohan Anand on Wednesday said that nine people have died and nine others have been rescued following the collapse of a slab on the Gambhira bridge in the Padra area of Gujarat's Vadodara district.
Speaking to reporters, SP Anand said, "Around nine people have died. Further processing is underway at a hospital. Around nine people have been rescued, five of them have been referred to the SSG Hospital. None of the people who have been rescued are critical."
He said that a 10-15 metre slab in the middle of the bridge had collapsed. Two trucks, two pickup vans, and a rickshaw fell into the river while two vehicles remained stranded on the bridge.
"We came to know that a 10-15 metres slab in the middle of the bridge collapsed. There were two vehicles on the bridge that got stranded. Two trucks, two pickups and a rickshaw fell into the river below. Locals and rescue teams started rescuing them," the Vadodara SP added.
Traffic movement has been diverted as rescue operations continue.
"The rescue operation is still underway. Traffic has been diverted for the movement of light vehicles," SP Anand said.
Visuals from the site showed rescue teams attempting to retrieve a truck that had fallen into the Mahisagar river following the bridge collapse.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased in the Vadodara bridge collapse. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.
PM Modi paid condolences to the families of the deceased.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) wrote, "The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon."
"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000: PM," the X post added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya stated that nine bodies had been recovered so far during the rescue operation, while six injured individuals have been provided medical treatment.
Speaking to reporters, Collector Dhameliya said, "We have recovered nine bodies so far. Five people were injured, and the sixth injured was found just now, and he is being provided medical treatment."
The Vadodara Collector mentioned that rescue teams from the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), the Emergency Response Centre, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police were deployed at the site immediately after the incident.
"The rescue operation started this morning. Local swimmers, boats and the team of Municipal Corporation reached the spot immediately. VMC, Emergency Response Centre, NDRF teams, other administration, and a police team are here. Rescue operation is ongoing," Dhameliya added.
"Vehicles that fell include two trucks, one pickup van, one eco vehicle and one auto rickshaw. Two vehicles were lingering on the bridge," he added.
Anand Collector Praveen Chaudhary said measures were underway to prevent the tanker stuck on the bridge from falling.
Chaudhary told ANI, "According to preliminary information, a truck, an Eco, and some bikes fell below. Rescue operations are ongoing. The Vadodara administration and NDRF are present at the site. Arrangements are being made to prevent a tanker stuck on the bridge from falling. The Vadodara team, police administration, and NDRF are all engaged in the rescue operations." (ANI)