Bridge collapse: Centre extending all help to Maharashtra govt, says Rajnath

New Delhi: Two passenger buses and four other vehicles are feared to have been swept away following the collapse of a bridge over Savitri river in Maharashtra on Tuesday night, with the Centre rushing four NDRF teams along with 12 boats and expert divers for rescue operations.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha that two helicopters have also been deployed and the Centre was giving all possible help to the state administration in the rescue efforts.

"What happened is very painful and unfortunate. It happened at around 11.30 PM. Two passenger buses and four other vehicles are feared to have been washed away in the river," he said.

At least two persons drowned and 20 others are missing after a British-era bridge collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Mahad in Maharashtra's Raigad district.

Singh made the statement after Vinayak Raut (Shiv Sena) raised the issue, saying the incident happened as the bridge remained operational even though it was considered unsafe and another bridge over the river was constructed by the state government.

Raut asked the government to present a report about such bridges and ensure that such tragic incidents do not recur.