Bridge that collapsed in Maharashtra with two ST Buses was certified safe in May this year

The Maharashtra government has said that the British-era bridge across the Savitri river that collapsed on Tuesday night was certified 'safe' in May this year.

Two persons are confirmed dead and at least 20 missing after two state transport buses and some other vehicles plunged into the river at Mahad when the bridge, which was part of the Mumbai-Goa highway, collapsed in heavy rain.

Maharashtra’s revenue and PWD minister, Chandrakant Patil, on Wednesday said the bridge had been inspected in May and certified as safe for use. He said the matter would be investigated.

Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are carrying out rescue operations. Helicopters of the Coast Guard and the Navy are being used to locate survivors. So far, two bodies have been recovered.

Both busses were Mumbai bound - one from Jaigarh and the other from Rajapur in Konkan.