Two persons were killed and over 20 feared dead after
part of a colonial-era bridge across River Savitri on the Mumbai-Goa
Highway near Raigad district was washed away in floods late on Tuesday
night.
At least two State Transport buses and many private cars on the
bridge at the time fell into the raging river waters and were swept
away. Rescue operations which commenced only on Wednesday morning were
hampered by continuous downpour and the floods in the river.
The 50-ft. bridge connects the city of Mahad with Poladpur.
While
the number of cars that plunged into the river is yet to be
ascertained, Raigad Guardian Minister Prakash Mehta said 8-10 vehicles
may have fallen in.
A Tavera SUV carrying a family of seven is suspected to be missing.
Around 22 people, including the crew, were said to be travelling in the two buses.
According
to eyewitness reports, the incident occurred at 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
“I was screaming for the other vehicles to stop when I found that the
bridge had crashed. I saw three cars, plunge into the waters and tried
calling 100 to no avail,” said Basant Kumar Mishra, a driver who was
among those who warned other vehicles, thus averting further tragedy.
“It
is extremely unfortunate. We will be immediately conducting a safety
audit of all the old, British-era bridges, which are still in use,” said
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who surveyed the spot late on
Wednesday afternoon .
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