Vadodara bridge collapse: Death toll climbs to 22, one person still missing

The death toll in the 9 July collapse of a bridge across the Mahisagar river in Gujarat's Vadodara district has risen to 22 with the death of one injured person who was in hospital, an official said on Wednesday, 6 August.

Dilip Padhiyar (34), a resident of Borsad taluka of Anand district, died during treatment at the government-run SSG Hospital on Tuesday night, said Vadodara collector Anil Dhameliya.

"The death toll has reached 22. Other injured persons have already been discharged. One person, Vikram Padhiyar, remains missing," he said.

Dilip was returning home in a vehicle after finishing his night shift at a factory in Vadodara when a section of the bridge collapsed, plunging several vehicles into water.

According to doctors, he was admitted in a critical condition and later contracted an infection.

The 40-year-old bridge near Gambhira village connected Anand and Vadodara districts.

While five persons, including Dilip, were rescued by locals after the collapse, others could not be saved as they either drowned or died during treatment.

Four engineers of the roads and buildings department of the Gujarat government were suspended for negligence after the tragedy.

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