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India highway bridge collapse: Buses found, 41 still missing

ANI
Mumbai, IndiaUpdated: Aug 11, 2016, 07:22 AM IST
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The National Disaster Response Force teams were alerted about the recovery and a crane was used to bring out the wreckage. Photograph:(AFP)
After a eight-day-long search, Naval teams have located wreckage of two buses submerged in the Savitri River at Mahad in westeren Indian state Maharashtra's Raigad district, where tragedy struck after a British-era bridge collapsed.

The wreckage seem to be parts of the buses and were found approximately 170 and 200 meters from the collapsed bridge.

It is yet to be ascertained if the wreckage discovered belonged to one bus or both the buses that had been submerged. Spot diving was carried out despite presence of crocodiles, high current and tough conditions in the river.

The National Disaster Response Force teams were alerted about the recovery and a crane was procured for the recovery of the wreckage.

The Indian Navy team comprising of personnel specialising in diving have been searching for the wreckage and survivors since the morning of August 4.

The effort was in response to a request received from the state government on undertaking search along the river for survivors and bodies.

Till now 26 bodies have been retrieved from the river and the total number of missing people is 41.

In the mishap of last Tuesday, two State Transport busses and two private cars fell in Savitri River along with 38 passengers.

(ANI)