Survivors share harrowing experience of India bridge collapse

Survivors of a bridge collapse in India's Gujarat state on Wednesday that killed at least 15 people have said that they initially thought it was an explosion or earthquake. The cause of the collapse is still to be ascertained, and investigations are under way according to state government officials.

Anwarbhai, who was driving a van which had two other passengers, was on the bridge on Wednesday morning when he heard a deafening crack - a section of the bridge behind him had collapsed into the Mahisagar river, taking some vehicles along with it. 'There was a huge explosion-like sound and part of the bridge collapsed behind us. Our van also started rolling backwards so we quickly jumped out,' he told BBC Gujarati.

The 40-year-old bridge connected Vadodara district with central Gujarat and usually saw a lot of traffic. Dramatic visuals after the collapse showed a truck teetering dangerously from the edge of the broken bridge - it was later moved to safety. But other vehicles, including lorries, cars and a tuktuk, plunged into the water. At least four people are still missing and search operations are under way.

Sonalben Padhiyar was the only survivor among her family members after the car she was travelling in fell into the river. Recounting the terrifying moments, Ms Padhiyar told the Indian Express newspaper that she was sitting in the back when the car fell into the river headfirst. A video of her, visibly distressed and shouting for someone to save her son, has since gone viral. She later told ANI that she screamed for a long time before help arrived. She lost six family members.

Dilipsinh Padhiyar, another survivor (not related to Ms Padhiyar), was returning home from a night shift on his two-wheeler when the accident took place. 'Traffic was moving as usual,' he told the Indian Express. He said he had barely crossed 100m on the bridge when he felt a vibration before the structure gave way. 'I found myself falling into the river,' he said. Mr Padhiyar suffered injuries but managed to hold on to a metal rod and stay afloat until local fishermen arrived to help.

Eyewitnesses said the collapse felt like an earthquake, shaking the ground and sending multiple vehicles crashing into the river. Jairaj Singh, one of the locals who rushed to the scene, told BBC Gujarati he was alerted by a phone call from a friend. 'As soon as I heard, I rushed over,' he said. 'We began pulling out vehicles with ropes. People from the area came together to help.'

According to the source: BBC.