13 killed after mini-bus falls into river in Kolhapur

Atleast thirteen persons were killed and three others were injured when a  tempo traveller fell into the Panchganga river from the Shivaji bridge in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra on Friday night.

According to reports, the bus was coming from Ganpatipule in Ratnagiri district via the Kolhapur district and was headed towards Pune.

The victims are said to be from three families - Warkhede, Nangre and Kedari   from Pune. "We have recovered bodies. Three injured are admitted in hospital," Superintendent of Police, Kolhapur, Sanjeev Mohite said.

According to initial reports. the bus was carrying 16 passengers. Apparently, the driver lost control over the bus and it fell into the river.

The district administration and police swung into action and cranes were mounted to pull the bus out.

The deceased were identified as Santosh  Babanrao Warkhade (45), Gauri Santosh  Warkhade (16), Gnyaneshwari Santosh Warkhade (14), Sachin Bharat Kedari (34), Neelam Sachin Kedari (28), Sanskriti Sachin Kedari (8), Sanidhya Sachin Kedari (9 months), Sahil Dilip Kedari (14), Bhavna Dilip Kedari (34), Shravani Dilip Kedari (11), Chaya Dinesh Nangre (41) and the driver, who is yet to be identified.

The injured were identified as Prajakta Dinesh Kangre (18), Manisha Santosh Warkhade (38) and Manda Bharat Kedare (54).