PANAJI
Director of Fire and Emergency Services Nitin Raiker informed that the fire personnel began the search operation for the ill-fated vehicle immediately after they turned out at the site on receiving information at 1.07 am.
“Our personnel started the search and rescue operation but as we did not have scuba divers, the operation was suspended at 3.45 am and the Mormugao deputy collector was informed after which the Navy personnel arrived with scuba divers and a joint operation started,” Raiker informed.
“Reinforcement was also sought from Ponda, Curchorem, Valpoi, Old Goa, Kundaim and Panaji fire stations as well as headquarters. Also, three rescue boats and two victim location cameras were used. The bodies which were entangled in the car were removed by using hydraulic and battery-operated cutting and breaching equipment,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Goa naval area diving team used a total of 15 divers in the operation to locate and salvage the SUV.
“The vehicle along with the bodies was retrieved after an extensive effort by the diving team led by Captain M Subramanian in which 15 naval divers participated,” an official informed.
