The operation initiated on August 3 post the British-era bridge collapsed in the wee hours of last Tuesday, is in its last phase, with search agencies so far locating 28 bodies, with no trace of any vehicle.
The massive search operation - of around 170 hours - carried out by the the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and other local agencies to recover bodies of passengers from the Savitri river in Mahad, is soon to be called off.
The operation initiated on August 3 post the British-era bridge collapsed in the wee hours of last Tuesday, is in its last phase, with search agencies so far locating 28 bodies, with no trace of any vehicle.
"The search is in its last phase. We have started scanning the river bed from the accident spot and so far no bodies or vehicles are seen," said deputy commander of NDRF, Pandit Ithape.
According to Ithape, the four teams of the NDRF initiated to scan the river bed on Monday using SONAR. However, even after combing the river bed for around 13 km from the starting point to Kimburli village, nothing could be found.
Before calling an end to the operation, the teams will scan the river bed till Harihareshwar, around 130 kms from the starting point. "In the next two to three days, the bodies will be decomposed beyond recognition, after which, we will have to call off the search operation," claimed Ithape.
Meanwhile, no body or part or any vehicle debris was recovered or spotted today by the teams.
DNA test to determine identity
As per local police, in the next couple of days, blood and hair samples of the surviving family members of the dead passengers will be collected for identification.
Kins threaten raasta-roko
Relatives of the deceased, today vented out their anger alleging that the state government had no will to trace their loved ones. The threatened to stage a raasta-roko along the mumbai-Goa national highway. "The time is nearing to conduct the death ceremony rituals, but they have yet not been able to trace the bodies. How are we supposed to carry out the last rites?" questioned a relative of the deceased.
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