The collapse took place at around one o'clock in the morning, due to heavy rains that have eroded the colonial era bridge. The only certainty is the disappearance of two bus carrying 22 people. It is feared that many more vehicles may have been swallowed by the waters of the River Savitri.
Mumbai (AsiaNews/Agency) - At least two buses and several other vehicles were swallowed by the waters of the Savitri river after a major bridge on Mumbai-Goa Highway collapsed in Maharasthra. The disaster happened at first light of today, due to torrential rains in the Konkan region.
Initial reports speak of 22 people missing from onboard the two state transport buses which did not arrive at their destination. The National Disaster Response Force was deployed in site and around 80 rescuers including divers are in the area to try and find survivors.
Preliminary reconstruction tells about the bridge crumbling around 1 am. It was built more than seven decades ago when teh are was still under British colonial rule. A new one was constructed parallel to the older in recent times.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and assured all help in rescue and relief operations. At the moment the traffic has been diverted to the new parallel bridge.