KOCHI: The search operation being carried out by the Navy to trace passengers of the pick-up van that plunged into the Vembanad lake from the Aroor-Kumbalam bridge on Wednesday has been hampered by strong undercurrent and zero underwater visibility.
Meanwhile, rescuers recovered the bodies of Nepal-natives Madhu and Himalal on Thursday as the operations entered the second day, and shifted them to Ernakulam General Hospital for autopsy.
Efforts are underway to trace the remaining persons.
The Navy has deployed diving experts for the search operations, but their efforts are hampered by poor underwater visibility and strong undercurrent. A five-member team headed by chief petty officer (CPO) S K Perumal is carrying out scuba diving in the channel.
The missing passengers include driver Nijas of Madhurakulam near Thrichattukulam and labourers Shyam and Daman of Nepal.
At least five persons have been missing after the van they were travelling in fell into the Vembanad lake on Wednesday evening. The four other passengers, who sustained injuries, were rescued by fishers. The vehicle was also traced and recovered.
The search operation is being coordinated by Alappuzha District Collector Veena Madhavan. Earlier, the hostile conditions had forced the Coastal Police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel to wind up the operations by 2 am on Wednesday.
The initial inquiry revealed that the accident occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed it into the railings of the bridge.