The number of casualties has still not been ascertained.
AB Wire
Over 22 people and 10 vehicles, including two state transport buses, are missing as a bridge that constructed during the British era, linking Mahad and Poladpur on Mumbai-Goa highway in Raigad district in Konkan was washed away due to heavy rains in the wee hours of Wednesday.
The number of casualties has still not been ascertained and rescue operations are underway. The incident happened at about 2 am and about eight per cent of the bridge built over the Savitri River gave away.
The state transport department has appealed to the relatives of missing passengers to contact on helpline number (02141) 222118 and toll free number 1077. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed a Chetak helicopter and a Sea King 42C all-weather aircraft with diving team to carry out search operation to trace the missing vehicles. The ICG is also diverting another Sea King 42B aircraft to help with the mission.
The National Disaster Relief Force personnel have also been pressed in to the search operation. Traffic on the Mumbai-Goa highway was disrupted and smaller vehicles were diverted via Mangaon and two other routes.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted at 2.30 am saying he had spoken to the Raigad Superintendent of Police and Collector regarding the mishap on the Mumbai-Goa Highway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Fadnavis and offered all assistance in the rescue and search operations.
The Metereological Department had warned of heavy rainfall in Nashik in north Maharashtra and coastal areas from Raigad to Sindhurdurg in Konkan over the next 24 hours.
Social Media Updates:
Spoke to Raigad SP & Collector about bridge collapse on Mumbai-Goa highway.
Administration has rushed to spot for rescue&immediate measures.— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 2, 2016
There were 2 parallel bridges : one is a new bridge and one constructed during the British era.
The old one got collapsed.— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 2, 2016
The primary reason seems to be the high pressure caused due to flooding of river Savitri due to heavy rains in catchment of Mahabaleshwar.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 2, 2016
2 buses of state transport with 18 passengers, 2 drivers and 2 conductors ( total 22 ) people go missing in Mahad tragedy.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 3, 2016
PM @narendramodi offered all help in rescue and relief operations.
NDRF teams are already activated.@NDRFHQ
/2— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 3, 2016