One dead, dozens feared missing after Goa bridge collapses

Accident occurred around 6.30pm; the bridge was built during Goa's time as a Portuguese colony

PANAJI, INDIA: One person died and several others were feared missing after a bridge collapsed in the popular Indian tourist state of Goa, police and reports said late Thursday.

Dozens of people had gathered on the bridge to watch emergency services attempt to rescue a man who had jumped into the Sanvordem river in Curchorem in Goa's south when it collapsed under the weight.

Goa: Around 50 people fell of Portuguese-era Zuari footbridge. Incident happened when police was rescuing a youth who jumped off the bridge. pic.twitter.com/ZtHJSJdsg2

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2017

"A lot of people came to witness the developments from the bridge and the structure collapsed. We managed to save nearly 20 to 25 people and have recovered one body so far," Goa police sub-inspector Ravindranath Pednekar said.



Some who fell had managed to swim to safety but Pednekar said he was unable to confirm local media reports that up to 30 people were still missing, adding that "search operations are ongoing".

Indian media reported that the accident occurred around 6.30pm and that the bridge was built during Goa's time as a Portuguese colony, which ended in 1961.