One dies, 22 rescued after Goa bridge collapse (Lead)

Panaji May 18 (IANS) At least one person was killed while 22 others were rescued after a foot bridge on Sanvordem river collapsed in south Goa s Curchorem town on Thursday evening Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said. The exact number of persons missing is still not known.

I received reports that 22 persons have been rescued by the fire brigade. Some swam back to the shore on their own. However we do not have the exact number of people present on the bridge when it collapsed Parrikar told reporters here.

More than 30 persons are believed to be missing after the old bridge collapsed as a crown assembled to watch an unidentified person attempt a suicide late on Thursday.

South Goa member of Parliament Narendra Savaikar monitoring the relief and rescue operations told IANS that Indian Navy and Coast Guard divers had been urged to help with the rescue efforts and that one body had been recovered so far.

Nine naval divers with boats and associated equipment rush to Curchorem south Goa bridge collapse site for search-and-rescue operations the Navy tweeted.

Spoke to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar regarding the bridge collapse on Sanvordem river. Search and rescue operations have been identified Union Home minister Rajnath Singh said in a tweet.

District administration officials police fire bridge and Army personnel are still on the spot looking for survivors.

--IANS
maya/tsb