2 dead, 30 missing as bridge collapses in Goa village

Panaji, May 18

Two people were killed and 30 went missing after a Portuguese-era bridge on Sanvordem river collapsed in Goa on Thursday evening, police said.

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The bridge caved in when the state Fire and Emergency Services personnel were rescuing a youth who had jumped into the river apparently in a suicide bid.

"Around 50 people had gathered on the bridge to watch the rescue operation, and all of them fell into the river as it collapsed," a police official earlier said.

Some of them managed to swim ashore, he added. The Fire and Emergency Services personnel started searching for others.

The Indian Navy has been requested to assist in the rescue operations and the divers have rushed to the spot. The fire and emergency services has begun the search operation.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar over the bridge collapse incident.

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