UPDATE Mumbai-Goa Bridge Collapses; Videos; 2 Buses Confirmed Swept Away Over 22 missing; 2 confirmed Dead;
22 are still missing as a bridge in India collapses
At least 22 people are believed to be missing as two state transport buses fall off the collapsed bridge along the Mumbai-Goa road in India. Two dead bodies have been fished out of the water.
In a statement, Raigad ASP Sanjay Patil said that two busses were traversing the bridge when the bridge gave way. Another eyewitness say that two cars were seen being swept away by the raging waters.
Authorities say that the flooding of the Savitri river could have been the cause why the bridge suddenly collapsed. India has been battling heavy rains the past few days.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been on the ground to start the rescue operations. The Indian Coast Guard has dispatched its Chetak helicopter at the scene to look for people or vehicles being swept away because of the incident.
This is what Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has posted on has issued his statement about the bridge collapse:
A 115-member rescue team are on the ground comprising a four NDRF team. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that divers are working alongside the teams.
Parallel Bridges
The collapsed bridge has been built during the time when the British occupied India. A newer bridge runs parallel to it and is now being used both ways. Before the collapse both bridges were used as One-way bridges to help ease the traffic. Now that the old bridge has collapsed, the new bridge will be used both ways.
