Bridge Collapse in Karwar Sends Lorry Plunging into Kali River

KARWAR, Uttara Kannada: A section of the 41-year-old Kodibag bridge on National Highway 66 near Karwar collapsed late last night, causing a Tamil Nadu-registered lorry to plunge into the swollen Kali River. The driver, identified as Balamurugan, was rescued by local police and fishermen and has been admitted to a nearby hospital.

Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police, Narayana, who visited the site, stated, “As of now, we can confirm only one vehicle has fallen into the river. Search operations are ongoing to determine if there are any other vehicles or victims.”

The collapse occurred around midnight, triggering an immediate response from local authorities. Despite challenging conditions due to heavy rainfall and the river flowing above danger levels, rescue operations are in full swing.

“The Coastal Security Force, SDRF, and NDRF teams are working tirelessly in these difficult conditions,” SP Narayana told reporters. The fire department has also been deployed to assist in the search operations.

The incident has raised questions about infrastructure safety in the region. The collapsed section was part of an old bridge that was still in use alongside a newer structure built during the expansion of NH-66. In response to the incident, a case has been registered against the National Highway Authority and IRB company at the Karwar City Police Station.

Local authorities have advised commuters to avoid the area and use alternative routes until further notice. The incident has also prompted calls for a thorough review of aging infrastructure in the region to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

As the search and rescue operations continue, local officials are urging residents to stay alert and report any information that might assist in the ongoing investigation.