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20 bodies recovered as search continues for missing in India bridge collapse

Xinhua, August 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Rescuers have fished out 20 bodies from a river during ongoing search for victims of bridge collapse in Indian state of Maharashtra, officials said Friday.

"The search teams along with the locals have recovered 20 bodies from River Savitri in the Mahad bridge collapse tragedy," officials said.

India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) quoting local authorities said at least 42 people went missing in the tragedy and are feared dead. The victims were inside the vehicles when the 50-feet highway bridge collapsed in Raigadh district, about 63 km south of Mumbai city, the capital of Maharashtra.

The missing vehicles include two state road transport buses. Rescue teams have extended the search to 150 km stretch downstream. However, the hope of finding survivors seems to be fading out with each passing hour.

Officials said, so far no traces of missing vehicles were found.

The state's Chief Minster Devendra Fadnavis has announced a judicial probe into the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia relief of 7,482 US dollars to each family who have lost their member in the disaster.

The British-era bridge connecting Mumbai to famous tourist resort of Goa crashed on Wednesday in River Savitri due to flood waters triggered by heavy monsoon rains.

Authorities have pressed in Air force, coast guards and several teams comprising of 120 personnel of disaster response force to search for the missing vehicles and bodies.

Reports said a large crowd of people including family members of missing persons have gathered to watch the rescue efforts.

In March this year, a 60-metre portion of a flyover collapsed in Kolkata city of West Bengal, killing 25 and injuring scores of others. Endit