A British-era bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway collapsed early this morning.
Highlights
- British-era bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway collapsed late on Tuesday night
- 2 bodies found, 20 missing after buses and cars plunged into the river
- Around 80 rescuers and divers looking for survivors in the river
Two bodies have been found and over 20 are feared missing after a British-era bridge collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa highway in Maharashtra late last night following torrential rain. Buses and vehicles plunged into the river near Raigad district, 84 km from Mumbai.
Here are 10 developments in the story:
The 50-foot bridge, built about a century ago in Mahad town, crashed around 11.30 pm after flood waters rushed into the river Savitri. The bridge lies along the highway connecting Mumbai to the popular holiday destination Goa.
Two passenger buses and four private cars are believed to have been washed away in the dead of the night. The buses had started from Mumbai with 11 passengers each.
Around 80 rescuers and divers are at the spot. Rescuers could be seen fighting strong currents in inflatable dinghies.
Even elite marine commandos or MARCOS found the current too strong to risk diving into the river.
The air force, navy and coast guard have sent two aircraft and a Chetak helicopter to survey the river.
A lawmaker said in parliament that two years ago, British officials had warned Maharashtra that the bridge is too old and should be closed to public. The bridge had trees growing on it.
The Maharashtra government, however, declared the bridge safe just two months ago.
"There were two parallel bridges. One is a new bridge and one constructed during the British era. The old one collapsed," tweeted Mr Fadnavis.
Traffic has been diverted to the new parallel bridge. Officials are trying to determine whether more vehicles are missing.
For five days, there has been incessant rain in parts of coastal Konkan, northern and western Maharashtra.
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