Three bodies were recovered from the swollen Savitri River after two state-run buses and some other vehicles got washed away following collapse of a British-era bridge in Raigad district, even as rescue workers lowered a 300 kg magnet to trace the missing vehicles.
Five bodies were recovered from the swollen Savitri River after two state-run buses and some other vehicles got washed away following collapse of a British-era bridge in Raigad district, even as rescue workers lowered a 300 kg magnet to trace the missing vehicles.
Navy and Coast Guard personnel have stepped up operations to trace those missing after the old bridge collapsed on Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad, about 170 kms from Mumbai, in Raigad district late on Tuesday. 22 people travelling in the two buses are missing.
"So far, our search teams have recovered five bodies - three males and two females," Raigad Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Patil said.
The bodies were fished out of the river at about 50-60 kms from the mishap site, he said.
Navy divers resumed search operations early on Thursday, while a Chetak helicopter of the Coast Guard also started sortie of the affected area, a Defence spokesperson said.
No survivors have been found despite a gruelling search and rescue operation on Wednesday.
About 20 boats with nearly 160 personnel of Coast Guard, NDRF, and Navy, apart from local fishermen and rafters, are at work in the area.
(PTI)
1. Eyewitness Basantkumar Ambesh
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Basantkumar Ambesh saw vehicles fall in the river after a portion of the Mahad-Poladpur bridge was washed away in flood water of the Savitri river on the Mumbai-Goa highway in Raigad district on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
2. Remains of the bridge
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The remaining portion of the washed away Mahad-Poladpur bridge on Savitri river. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
3. Poor weather - hindrance for lifeboats
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Rescue work in progress after Mahad-Poladpur bridge was washed away by the flood waters of Savitri river. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
4. Aerial view
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An aerial view of the collapsed part of the Mahad-Poladpur bridge over flooded Savitri river. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
5. Savitri River
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The Mahad-Poladpur bridge that was washed away by the flood waters of Savitri river. Due to the heavy rainfall Savitri river has swollen, which is being suspected as the cause for the collapse of the bridge, besides the bridge being of the British era. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
6. Choppers deployed for rescue
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Rescue teams carry out search operations after the Mahad-Poladpur bridge was washed away by flood waters of the Savitri river. NDRF and Coast Guard were deployed along with rescue boats and helicopters, on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
