PANJIM: Passengers commuting in Ribandar-Chorao ferryboat were stranded for about two hours onboard as the raft of the vessel broke mid-river on Tuesday afternoon.
The raft of one of the five ferryboats plying from Chorao to Ribandar gave way when the ferryboat almost reached the ramp on Chorao side.
A crane was called in to pull the ferryboat towards the ramp and the passengers were rescued.
Speaking to O Heraldo, River Navigation Department (RND) Senior Superintendent Vikram Rajebhosle said, “Commuters and vehicle owners were stranded after the raft of the ferry boat broke. The incident occurred at around 12:30 pm. When the ferry was about two metres away from docking the shore ramp, suddenly a wire rope snatched from the winch drum and collapsed in the water.”
As passengers and vehicles were stranded, other ferryboats operating on the route rushed to their rescue and brought them to the ramp. However, two and four wheeler owners were stranded for over an hour as their vehicles could not be brought to the ramp till the collapsed raft was pulled back with new wire ropes, Rajebhosle.
