Chavakkad (Thrissur): The first floating sea bridge in the Thrissur district collapsed just a month after it was thrown open to the public. Those on the adventure facility at Blangad Beach here had a miraculous escape as a part of the floating bridge was cut off and flowed into the sea. It was later brought ashore. The incident took place at 2 pm on Tuesday.
There were two tourists and six staff members on the bridge when about 10 metres in the middle of the 100-meter-long floating bridge was cut off, and it flowed into the sea. One tourist fell into the water but was rescued by others. The part that was cut off in the strong waves was then cut into pieces and taken to the shore with great difficulty. A major tragedy was averted as there was no rush of visitors, as it was not a holiday. Minister P A Muhammed Riyas inaugurated the floating bridge on October 1.
The floating bridge was established and operated by a private company, Beach Brothers Chavakkad (BBC), under a project formulated by the Destination Management Council of the Tourism Department in a bid to promote coastal tourism. It is said that Rs 80 lakh has been spent on building it. It is designed in such a way that 100 people can enter the bridge at a time. One can walk up to 100 meters into the sea through the bridge. The entry fee on the bridge, which rises and falls in tune with the waves, is Rs 120 per person.
