More than 20 people are feared dead after two buses plunged into a swollen river when an Indian bridge collapsed in monsoon rain

At least 22 people are feared dead after two buses plunged into a flooded river when an old bridge collapsed in monsoon rain in western India.

Rescuers raced to the crumbled bridge south of the financial capital of Mumbai to search for the passengers swept away following the accident yesterday.

Television footage showed large chunks of the British-colonial era had fallen into the swollen Savitri River.

At least two dead bodies have been recovered by search teams working on the river.

Sanjay Patil, police superintendent of Raigad district where the accident took place, said: 'Twenty two people from two buses are missing after the 50-feet long bridge collapsed.

The bridge straddling the river lies along a major highway connecting Mumbai to the tourism state of Goa.

Emergency workers armed with diving and other specialist equipment were scouring the river for the missing.

National Disaster Response Force chief O.P Singh said: 'As per initial information, some vehicles and people have been swept away. Our team has rushed to the spot.

'Our team is equipped with deep divers and life-saving equipment.'

Television footage showed a helicopter flying over the river searching for survivors.