Bridge fall: Search ops to be called off

MUMBAI: The National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Navy are likely to call off search operations on the Savitri river, after more than a week of scouring

MUMBAI: The National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Navy are likely to call off search operations on the Savitri river, after more than a week of scouring the area for victims of the bridge collapse.

HT Image

The state government, however, will continue surveying the area until all bodies are found.

Relief and rehabilitation minister Chandrakant Patil hinted on Wednesday there was no point continuing with the search and rescue, as the bodies may not be in a good condition.

“The central agencies are finding it difficult as there are many crocodiles in the riverbed. We hope the missing people are in the two state transport buses that are yet to be traced. But we will have to decide about the operation very soon,” he said. Patil said a few boats will operate until all bodies are found.

The agencies and the government said they may be able to spot the buses by Thursday as water has started receding, and hope the bodies are trapped in them.