Ahmedabad, Aug 28: Thirty people have died and 45 are still missing after a number of vehicles, including a school bus, plunged into swirling waters of Damanganga River when the bridge connecting Nani Daman and Moti Daman collapsed due to heavy rains in the Union Territory of Diu and Daman in south Gujarat today, police said. The number of casualties is likely to go up as there was a lot of rush on the bridge at the peak hour, police added.
A van reportedly carrying the children and three auto-rickshaws fell into the river when the bridge collapsed, police said. Senior police officials have rushed to the spot and rescue operations are being carried out on a war-footing, police said adding, "Divers from nearby areas have been pressed into action." Helicopters are also being used to look for any survivors and bodies.
Bodies of five school children have been handed over to their parents, sources added.
While some of the injured were admitted to Matvad Hospital, nine seriously injured children were taken to Haria Hospital in Vapi.
The collapsed bridge was in dilapidated state and the administration had not made any efforts to repair it even in the face of the threat it posed to commuters every day.
Bureau Report