Tragedy: 19 wedding guests killed as bridge collapses 

At least 19 people, including men, women, and children, have died in Zamfara State after a vehicle carrying a bride and her family plunged into a river when the dilapidated Gwalli Bridge collapsed. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

How the Tragedy Happened

The fatal accident occurred on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at about 4:45 pm, in Fass community, Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The vehicle was conveying wedding guests from Fass to Jega community when the weakened bridge gave way, sending them into the river below.

According to eyewitnesses, all 19 victims were family members of the late Sheikh Dauda Fass, a former Zamfara State House of Assembly member.

One grieving relative, Babangida Halifa Ibrahim Fass, described the heartbreaking moment:

“The car fell from the bridge into the water. As they were brought out, we found 19 of them dead, including men, women, and children.”

A Bridge Long in Neglect

The Gwalli Bridge, which connects several villages in the Gummi axis, has been in a state of disrepair for years. Although it was rehabilitated during the administration of former Governor Abdulazeez Yari, heavy rainfall eroded the structure seven years ago.

Earlier this year, residents from Gwalli, Yar Gusau, and Fass villages attempted communal sand-filling to patch up the failing bridge, but the effort was not enough to prevent disaster.

On Saturday, the structure finally collapsed, cutting short lives in the most tragic way.

Calls for Government Action

Community leaders have described the disaster as an “avoidable tragedy”, blaming government neglect of rural infrastructure for the loss of lives.

Local voices are now calling on both the Federal Government and Zamfara State authorities to urgently:

Rebuild the collapsed Gwalli Bridge

Provide immediate relief materials for the bereaved families

Improve rural infrastructure across the Bardoki ward and Gummi axis

A resident lamented:

“This is not just a Gwalli problem, but a crisis affecting the entire Bardoki ward. We urge the authorities to come to our aid before more lives are lost.”

Community in Mourning

The Fass community has been plunged into mourning, with mass burials held for the victims. Fear now grips the area, as residents warn that unless the bridge is reconstructed, more accidents and deaths are inevitable.

For now, the people of Zamfara are left grieving, with yet another reminder of the deadly consequences of neglected infrastructure.