Pune Bridge Collapse: 4 Dead, Dozens Injured as Indrayani River Swells; Rescue Ops Underway
A tragic incident unfolded in Pune on Sunday afternoon when an old bridge collapsed amid heavy rainfall, leaving four people dead and 32 injured, including six in critical condition. The bridge, located over the Indrayani River near Talegaon, gave way as several people gathered to witness the rising waters.
According to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the collapse occurred due to strong water currents, which swept 15 to 20 people into the river. Fadnavis announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and confirmed that rescue efforts are underway on a war footing, with local police, district officials, and the NDRF on site.
“Some people are still trapped. NDRF teams are reaching the site, and we’ve rushed 15 ambulances to assist,” Fadnavis said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The bridge, reportedly over 30 years old, had already been closed to vehicular traffic but remained accessible to pedestrians and tourists. Witnesses say a large crowd had gathered on the weakened structure, eager to view the surging river—a decision that turned deadly.
National Response and Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently visiting Cyprus, spoke with CM Fadnavis and was briefed on the incident and ongoing rescue operations. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also offered his sympathies and praised the quick response by NDRF teams, crediting them with saving multiple lives. “Deeply saddened by the tragic incident… NDRF teams joined the operation with remarkable promptness,” Shah posted.
Blame Game Begins
As rescue operations continued, local leaders raised concerns about the structural condition of the bridge and the circumstances surrounding the collapse. NCP MLA Sunil Shelke stated the bridge was originally built to support light farmer movement and not the load of tourist crowds and two-wheelers, which had increasingly used it in recent years.
“Despite repeated repairs and restricted access, tourists kept visiting the spot. The bridge couldn’t bear the excessive weight,” he said. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the tragedy “avoidable” and demanded accountability from those in power.
“Such preventable disasters demand meaningful questions. Those responsible must be held accountable under the full force of law,” Kharge posted on X.
Ongoing Rescue and Investigation
Five to six people have already been rescued, and teams continue to search for others possibly swept away. The exact number of missing persons is yet to be confirmed as rescue operations remain in full swing. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the structural integrity of the bridge and the events leading to the collapse.
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