Centre directs NDRF to expand its Search and Rescue Operations in Raigad District

In Maharashtra, rescuers this morning resumed search operations for remaining 16 missing passengers from the vehicles fallen in the Savitri River at Mahad on Tuesday night. Twenty boats and nearly 160 personnel from Coast Guard, NDRF and Navy are engaged in the search operations.

Local administration Friday published final list of 38 passengers feared drowned as hopes for survivors faded. Satish Bagal, Resident Deputy Collector of Raigad district said eight more bodies from different locations in the river were recovered and the toll has now gone up to 22, of these17 are males and five females. 

Mr. Bagal said out of 22 victims, 10 were in Rajapur-Borivili bus, while



seven travelling in Jaigad-Mumbai bus, both belonging to State Transport Corporation. 

Six of the deceased belonged to Mumbai and its neighbouring suburbs of Virar and Nalasopara, while five hailed from Chiplun town in Ratnagiri district. The bodies of driver of both the buses have also been recovered. Two of the deceased were travelling in a private vehicle.

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday night when two state-run buses and some private vehicles were swept away after a British-era bridge collapsed in Mahad in Raigarh district on Mumbai-Goa Highway. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the government will give 5 lakh rupees to the kin of the deceased.