the goan I network
MAPUSA
Parishioners of Calvim-Aldona on Tuesday remembered the six persons, including four schoolgirls, who died in the tragic mishap when a bus went off the ferry wharf at Carona-Aldona eight years ago.
A Mass to pray for the six persons who lost their lives was celebrated in the St Sebastian Church at Calvim on Tuesday morning. Later in the evening, relatives and residents participated in a litany led by Calvim Parish Priest Fr Mariano Goes e Proenca at the Cross, which was erected near the Calvim bridge in memory of the six persons.
It may be recalled that a routine bus journey had ended in major tragedy when six persons, including four schoolchildren after the minibus plunged into the Mandovi River at Carona ferry wharf in Aldona on February 18, 2012.
The mishap had taken place when the minibus was proceeding towards the Carona ferry ramp as the students were to take the Carona-Calvim ferry service.
Those who died in the mishap were Diana Dias (4), her sister Elvina (13), Josephina Dias (58) and Nagle Gracias (10), all from Calvim, Dayanand Hoble (55) of Mayem and Priyal Salgaonkar (10) of Nachinola.
The tragedy had prompted the State government to build a bridge linking Calvim Island with Carona-Aldona, while also introducing the Bal-Rath bus services for school students in the State.
When contacted, former Aldona panch Freddy Pontes, who was present at the Litany on Tuesday and had also played a key role in the recovery of bodies on February 18, 2012, said relatives and residents recalled painful memories of the bus tragedy.
