4 killed after SUV plunges into Zuari river in Goa, rescue operation underway

Four members of a family were killed after their car fell into the Zuari river from a bridge in South Goa district in the wee hours of Thursday.

Goa: In an unfortunate incident, a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), carrying four members of a family fell into the Zuari river from a bridge in South Goa district in the wee hours of Thursday, police said.

The emergency services and Goa police personnel have launched an operation to trace the vehicle and its occupants following the accident which took place around 1 am on Wednesday. The car tried to overtake another car over the Zuari river bridge on a national highway at Cortalim village, about 15 km from the state capital Panaji. In the process, it rammed into the bridge railings and plunged into the river, a senior police official said.

The official further said that as per eyewitnesses, there were at least four people in the vehicle and it was being driven by a woman. The Goa police along with a Coast Guard vessel, barges, and fire along with emergency services personnel launched a massive operation to locate the vehicle, but could not trace it in the night due to darkness. "The Indian Navy divers also joined the search and rescue operation on Thursday morning," said the official. (With agency inputs)