Bridge collapse: No rescue operation was possible, says fire official

Fire officer says they got the call at 11.38 pm, but due to zero visibility and high water levels, they were asked to stand down and wait for NDRF personnel

The Mahad MIDC fire station officer, who received the accident call, claims that the fire station got the first call about the bridge collapse at around 11.38 pm.

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A rescue team heads out to rescue survivors

Manish Sawant (30) said, “The call was about the bridge washing away. A team reached the spot within five minutes. We also carried ropes necessary accessories. We then informed the local municipal authorities and with the help of the police, managed the traffic.”

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Fire officer Manish Sawant was the first responder to the tragedy. Pics/Pradeep Dhivar

Sawant claims that his team was at the spot, but due to zero visibility, couldn’t do anything. “We were informed that two buses and three other vehicles had fallen in, but here was no visibility. There were no streetlights either and the water level was high. It was only when were 10 metres away from the site that we got eyes on the collapsed bridge. A rescue operation in such a situation was not possible at all. We had the rope, but in the heavy flow of water, it wouldn’t be very useful. Also, at 1:30 am, we couldn’t risk going in as it was high tide,” added Sawant.

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Sawant says he then contacted higher authorities, who also suggested that he shouldn’t risk sending in ill-equipped firemen. “Sending men on field is a difficult call to make, so we followed the instructions of our higher ups. We then waited for NDRF team, which only reached the spot at 9 am. Till then, we tried our best to look around the boundaries with torches and see if we could help and rescue someone,” added Sawant.

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