Four people have died and 18 others were seriously injured after a 32-year-old iron pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed on Sunday afternoon in Pune’s Maval tehsil. The incident, which occurred around 3:30 PM, is believed to have been caused by overcrowding of tourists who ignored warnings at the site. Officials reported that over 100 people were on the bridge, a popular destination for tourists, at the time of the collapse.
Heavy rainfall in recent days had contributed to the river’s steady flow, and emergency services, including the National Disaster Response Force, police, and local rescue teams, were promptly deployed to remove debris and search for individuals who may have been trapped. Two bodies were recovered from the rubble, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being rescued. Another individual is still suspected to be trapped.
According to the district administration, 51 people have been rescued, with 18 suffering serious injuries and receiving treatment at three different hospitals. The deceased have been identified as Chandrakant Sathale, Rohit Mane, and Vihan Mane; one victim remains unidentified. Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi indicated that the bridge had previously been declared unsafe, yet around 100 people were present, many of whom were engaged in taking selfies.
In light of the accident, a committee will be established to investigate potential administrative lapses, and to assess whether standard operating procedures should have been enforced. This incident occurred despite existing prohibitions against large gatherings in the area and warning signs indicating the bridge was unfit for use.
Witnesses described the bridge as narrow, allowing only one vehicle at a time. Nilesh Khollam, who was present with friends, recounted seeing several people fall into the river as the structure collapsed. He and his friends helped rescue three to four individuals, including an elderly man.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to inquire about the situation on the ground. He acknowledged the rapid response of nearby rescue teams, stating they acted swiftly to save lives.
Maharashtra’s Minister of Disaster Management, Girish Mahajan, noted that the bridge failed under the weight of too many tourists. He highlighted that the bridge was designated for pedestrian use only and bore a warning against the use of two-wheelers. Plans are already in place to construct a new bridge.
The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each family of the deceased. Questions have been raised regarding police presence at the crowded site during inclement weather, and officials stated this would be investigated.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the tragedy as deeply saddening, while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar pointed to the bridge’s rust as a probable cause for its failure under the weight of multiple individuals. Local MLA Sunil Shelke mentioned that regular maintenance had been conducted, and that safety measures were employed to prevent debris from entering the river.
The Congress party expressed condolences over the loss of life and emphasized the necessity for accountability. Pawan Khera, head of the party’s media department, remarked that each life lost in this tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of negligence.
Rescue operations continued late into the evening, with large cranes deployed to lift debris from the river. Authorities have confirmed that search efforts will resume on Monday.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/pune-iron-bridge-collapses-in-maval-two-dead-and-several-feared-trapped-13897441.html
Category: India
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Publish Date: 2025-06-15 23:47:00
