Bridge collapse in India kills 9
At least nine people have died after a bridge collapsed in the Vadodara district of India’s Gujarat state on July 9. The structure gave way amid heavy rains, sending several vehicles plunging into the river below.
Gujarat’s Health Minister Rushikesh Patel confirmed that the bridge, built in 1985, failed while vehicles were crossing. At least five people were rescued from the scene, but emergency teams continue to search for others.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply saddening” and extended condolences to the victims’ families. The collapse highlights ongoing concerns about aging and poorly maintained infrastructure across the country.
Throughout history, bridge collapses have led to tragic losses and serious injuries. These catastrophic failures serve as reminders of the importance of infrastructure safety. Click through this gallery to learn about some of the most significant bridge collapses ever.
Scott Key Bridge - Baltimore
On March 26, 2024, a cargo ship crashed into a column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the Port of Baltimore. Large sections of the 1.6-mile (2.57 km) bridge were collapsed into the Patapsco River. Sadly, numerous cars were crossing the bridge at the time and were plunged into the water.
Casualties: 6
Morbi Bridge - India
On October 30, 2022, a bridge collapsed with devastating results in the town of Morbi in India's western state of Gujarat. The 750-foot (230-meter) suspension bridge hung over a river and was built in the 19th century. It had just been reopened after renovations a week before the tragedy. An estimated 200 people were on the bridge when it suddenly collapsed into the water below. The cars plummeted into the water, killing more than one hundred people and injuring dozens more. Early reports suggested that an integral cable snapped at one end of the bridge, and investigations concluded that the repairs had not been conducted with the necessary expertise.
Casualties: 141
Morandi Bridge - Italy
On August 14, 2018, shortly before 12 pm local time, the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy gave way and a large part of the freeway came crashing down. The bridge was undergoing maintenance at the time of the accident.
Causalities: 43
Wootton Bridge - UK
This bridge collapsed in 1861 in Wootton, England due to a flaw in design. The cast iron beams cracked and failed.
Causalities: 2
Severn Railway Bridge - UK
This bridge in Gloucestershire, England has since been demolished after it collapsed in 1960 when two barges collided with one of the bridge's columns.
Causalities: 5
Train bridge - USA
Three days of rain caused this train bridge to wash away in Wood River Junction, Rhode Island, 1873.
Causalities: 7
Road bridge - Czech Republic
In Studénka, a train crashed into a road bridge over the railway in 2008. In addition to those killed, 70 people were also injured in the accident.
Causalities: 8
Kutai Kartanegara Bridge - Indonesia
This devastating accident occurred in 2011 due to human error. Workers were doing maintenance work on the bridge when a support cable snapped, causing a catastrophic failure.
Causalities: 20
Bridge in Bihar - India
A 150-year-old bridge that was being dismantled collapsed in 2006 right as train was passing underneath it.
Causalities: 33
Cypress Street Viaduct - USA
The Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 also affected another structure: the Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland, California.
Causalities: 42
Dixon Bridge - USA
This entire structure in Dixon, Illinois was completely destroyed in 1873 after a large crowd gathered to witness a baptism ceremony in the river below.
Causalities: 46
Hintze Ribeiro Bridge - Portugal
After 20 years of sand extraction around the pillars of this structure, the Hintze Ribeiro Bridge structure finally gave in 2001.
Causalities: 59
