2 Dead, 40 Missing as Sanvordem Bridge Collapses in Goa
Mangaluru: According to sources, two people died and several others, around 50 of them have gone missing as a bridge connecting Sanvordem and Curchorem villages in South Goa district of Goa collapsed on Thursday, 18 May 2017. As the luck would have it, the victims were standing on the dilapidated bridge watching an operation to rescue a youth who allegedly jumped into the river to commit suicide. Due to the weight of all these people on the Portuguese-era bridge across the river Sanvordem, a tributary of river Zuari collapsed, and the traffic was closed for nearly five hours.
While fire and emergency services personnel were busy rescuing the youth, some 50 plus people were watching their efforts from the bridge when it gave way and they fell into the water. As per the police around 20 of them swam to safety. Another 14 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals, whereas two bodies were retrieved from the river. It is learnt that more people are feared to have been trapped under the collapsed portion of the bridge.
Divers from the Indian Navy and the Drishti Lifeguard Services, a private agency which provides lifeguards for the state’s beaches, were called in for the rescue operation. Chief Minister ManoharParrikar has directed all concerned agencies to get into action. A massive search and rescue operation is being carried out, and the police still don’t have the exact number of people who could be in the water.
Susan Fernandez-Team Mangalorean-Margao speaking to Mangalorean.com said, “A person had jumped into the river to commit suicide. The local fire brigade reached the spot and rescue operation was going on when locals came in numbers to watch the rescue operation. They climbed the footbridge which is Portuguese-era old. At around 6:30 the foot bridge collapsed when the rescue operation was going on and all the people fell in the river. As it was dark when the bridge collapsed, it took an hour for an actual rescue operation to start. As the metal bridge collapsed, we believe several have been trapped below the fallen bridge. A special crane was called and with the help of a cutter, the bridge was cut. The navy divers have also arrived at the spot and are helping is in the rescue operation. Nearly nine Navy divers with Geminis boats have been rushed to Curchorem, and the rescue operation is still in progress. The bridge connects Sanvordem to Curchorem on Zuari River in the south of Goa.”
More details will be updated as details come in.
