Vadodara, July 11: The number of fatalities from the building collapse in Vadodara, Gujarat, has reached 18, with two individuals still unaccounted for.

Following the catastrophic failure of the 40-year-old Gambhira Bridge over the Mahisagar River in Padra, rescue efforts have been ongoing, involving teams from the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, and local authorities.

To date, 18 bodies have been retrieved, while two people remain missing.

Authorities confirmed that debris from two trucks, a pickup truck, an Eco car, and an auto-rickshaw has been extracted from the riverbed.

This bridge, which serves as a crucial connection between Saurashtra and South Gujarat, collapsed on Wednesday, resulting in seven vehicles plunging into the water. One truck was left precariously dangling from the damaged structure, intensifying the urgency of the rescue operation.

MLA Chaitanya Singh Jhala, who visited the site, indicated that the action would extend beyond the four government officials already suspended.

"Anyone deemed responsible for this oversight will face severe repercussions. This bridge is vital for the region. The government is actively working on an alternative route and a long-term solution," he informed the media.

The suspended officials include engineers from the Roads and Buildings Department, who were found liable in the preliminary investigation initiated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Reports indicate that over 10 individuals sustained injuries in the collapse and are currently receiving medical care at hospitals in Padra and Vadodara.

The two missing individuals are from Bamangam village in Anand district.

A high-level technical committee appointed by the Gujarat government is leading the investigation into the Gambhira Bridge collapse, aiming to identify failures in structural maintenance, inspection protocols, and administrative oversight.

Initial findings from the committee have uncovered significant negligence regarding repair history and load assessments, leading to the immediate suspension of four officials from the Roads and Buildings Department.

The investigation is now concentrating on procurement records, contractor accountability, and whether prior warnings, allegedly raised by locals and engineers, were disregarded.