Panaji: An ageing bridge collapsed under the weight of scores of onlookers watching a man trying to commit suicide. Search operations resumed this morning for at least one persons feared to have drowned while 35 others were rescued in Sanvordem river in Goa.
According to Fire department officials “around 30-35 were rescued but how many are submerged we do not know. Some say it is 40-50 persons who were on the bridge, some say it around 30 But these are unconfirmed sources.
CM Parikar said that it was “tough to speculate” how many people were present on the bridge when the accident occurred.
“A full scale rescue operation is on. The Collector and the PWD minister is onsite,” the Chief Minister added.
The tragedy occurred after a crowd had assembled on the several decade-old bridge to watch an unidentified person attempt a suicide late on Thursday.
South Goa member of Parliament Narendra Savaikar, monitoring the relief and rescue operations, told media that Indian Navy and Coast Guard divers had been urged to help with the rescue efforts and that one body had been recovered so far.
“Nine naval divers with boats and associated equipment rush to Curchorem, south Goa bridge collapse site, for search-and-rescue operations,” the Navy tweeted.
Union Home minister Rajnath Singh tweeted to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar regarding the bridge collapse on Sanvordem river.
Beside this district administration official, police, fire bridge and Army personnel are still on the spot looking for survivors.
Public Works Department minister who was onsite supervising rescue operations late on Thursday called the accident a case of “pure bad luck”.
