Major mishap in Goa: 50 people fall into river after bridge collapses; dozens feared drowned

Panaji: In a tragic incident, at least fifty people swept away after a footbridge collapsed in south Goa's Curchorem on Thursday. 

So far, at least 15 people have been rescued and five of them have been admitted to a hospital after the Portuguese era footbridge mishap.

The incident took place when the police were attempting to rescue a youth who jumped off the bridge. 

According to latest input, body of one person has been recovered by the rescue team.

The number of casualties is still unclear. A major rescue operation is currently underway and the police and the fire brigade are currently at spot.

An eye-witness and police in the village claimed that the dilapidated bridge could not take the weight of the people who had gathered there after reports that a woman had committed suicide at the site. 

"A metallic old bridge on the river has collapsed where about 40 persons had gathered," Shekhar Prabhudesai, superintendent of police in South Goa, who is heading the rescue operations, told Reuters over phone. 

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar over the incident. 

"Spoke to Goa CM Shri @manoharparrikar regarding the bridge collapse on Sanvordem River. Search and rescue ops have been intensified," Rajnath Singh tweeted.

The Indian Navy too tweeted "9 Navy Divers with Geminis boats & associated equipment rush to Curchorem, South Goa bridge collapse site for Search & Rescue operation."

"The number of casualties is still not known," he said. 

Fifteen people have been admitted to hospital, said one policeman, while rescue teams are working at the site.

According to another report, dozens of passengers are said to have been drowned in the river. 

Details awaited.