Mahad bridge collapse: Wreckage of two buses found in river Savitri

“After working 12-14 hours a day for the last eight days, the naval teams have located wreckage of the two buses submerged in water at Mahad,” said a defence spokesperson. The divers, according to the Navy, searched relentlessly “despite the presence of crocodiles, high current, tough conditions in the river.” The buses had fallen into the swollen Savitri river with 22 people when the British-built bridge collapsed on August 2, weakened by incessant rain. 

The remains have been found around 200 metres from the site where the bridge collapsed. Some cars are also believed to have fallen into the river. Navy and Coast Guard teams have scanned the waters along the 130 km length of the river. Divers have found 28 bodies and 16 people are missing. “The (disaster) teams are being informed and crane for recovery of the wreckage is being requested,” the spokesperson said. The bridge was to be dismantled this December as part of an expansion project, said the Maharashtra government, which was accused of ignoring a warning from UK that the bridge is too old and dangerous.