A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon as an old iron bridge over the Indrayani River in Pune's Maval tehsil collapsed, sending dozens of tourists into the river. The collapse occurred in the Kundamala area, a popular weekend picnic spot, around 3:30 PM when the bridge was crowded with tourists. Initial reports indicate that the structure shook for approximately five minutes before succumbing to the weight and stress, ultimately giving way.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and panic as the bridge, packed with sightseers, suddenly crumbled. "The structure shook for 5 minutes," one witness recounted, highlighting the agonizing moments before the inevitable collapse. With little time to react, many individuals were plunged into the strong currents of the Indrayani River, which had been swollen by recent heavy rainfall. According to local MLA Sunil Shelke, approximately 100 people were on or near the bridge when it gave way. Initial estimates suggest that 20 to 25 people may have been swept away.
The collapse prompted a swift response from local authorities and emergency services. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, police, and local volunteers immediately initiated rescue operations. Teams of divers were deployed to search submerged areas, while rescue boats worked to pull survivors from the river. As of the latest reports, two fatalities have been confirmed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and 32 people have sustained injuries. Six of the injured are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, including Pawana Multispeciality Hospital, Atharv Hospital and Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research (MIMER) hospital. 38 people have been rescued so far.
Preliminary investigations point towards a combination of factors that may have contributed to the bridge's failure. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that the bridge was old and rusted, suggesting structural weakness. Eyewitnesses have also noted that the bridge, intended for pedestrian use, was frequently used by motorcycles, adding to the load and stress on the aging structure. Furthermore, days of heavy rainfall had caused the river to be in spate, increasing the water's speed and volume, complicating rescue efforts. The bridge was described as old and dilapidated, possibly contributing to its failure under the heavy crowd. While no rain was reported at the time of collapse, preceding days of heavy rainfall had caused the river to be in spate, increasing water speed and volume.
In the wake of the tragedy, questions are being raised about the safety and maintenance of infrastructure at popular tourist locations. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi had issued prohibitory orders earlier this month, restricting tourists from approaching water bodies and certain natural sites due to safety concerns related to the intensified monsoon. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that a "structural audit of all such bridges" will be conducted. Ajit Pawar said an inquiry would be initiated into the incident and appropriate action would be taken.
The incident has sparked grief and concern across the region. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced financial aid for the affected families. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge mourned the loss of lives and emphasized the need for accountability, stating that "such preventable disasters demand meaningful questions be asked of those in power." NCP MP Supriya Sule termed the incident unfortunate and urged tourists to avoid risky adventures.
