Pune, June 15 — At least two persons have died and several others are feared missing after an old pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed in Pune district’s Maval taluka on Sunday afternoon. The bridge, located in the Kundmala area of Dehu—an important pilgrimage site associated with Sant Tukaram—gave way around 3:30 p.m., sweeping multiple tourists into the river’s swollen waters.
The incident occurred amid heavy monsoon rains that have lashed Pune and the adjoining Pimpri Chinchwad area in recent days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an ‘orange alert’ for the region, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the ghat areas.
Officials from the Pimpri Chinchwad Police confirmed that 10 to 15 people are feared to be trapped under the debris, while more than 30 were reportedly on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Preliminary estimates suggest that nearly 100 tourists had gathered in the area due to the weekend rush.
District authorities, local police, and fire brigade personnel, aided by two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have launched a large-scale rescue operation. Boats and divers have been deployed to search for those swept away by the river’s strong current. So far, six persons have been rescued, while 32 others have sustained injuries—six of them reported to be in critical condition.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2, Pimpri Chinchwad) Vishal Gaikwad said, “An old iron bridge near the lake and waterfall collapsed between 3:30 and 4:30 PM. As per preliminary information, two people have lost their lives, and rescue operations are continuing.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident, stating, “According to preliminary information, two people have died in this incident. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share the grief of their families. All agencies have been instructed to remain on high alert. Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing.”
The bridge, reportedly over three decades old, had been renovated four to five years ago. However, residents in the area had previously raised concerns regarding its structural integrity. Many tourists, unaware of the potential risk, continued to frequent the location, particularly during monsoons when the site becomes a popular attraction.
Eyewitnesses recounted the suddenness of the collapse, stating that those on the bridge had little to no time to react. Several were seen being carried away by the river’s strong current, while some managed to swim ashore.
Sunil Shelke, MLA from Maval, confirmed that there were around 100 people on or near the bridge at the time. “Some managed to reach the shore safely, while others are still missing,” he said.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule termed the incident “very unfortunate” in a post on social media platform X, and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel to monsoon tourist spots. “I have spoken to the District Collector of Pune regarding the incident, and they are sending all necessary assistance. I appeal to all citizens to strictly follow safety guidelines during the monsoon,” she said.
A member of the NDRF involved in the rescue operations told news agency PTI that 20 to 25 people could be trapped under the collapsed structure. The exact number of missing persons, however, remains unclear.
The administration has urged citizens to refrain from visiting riverbanks and comply with the instructions of emergency personnel. An investigation into the cause of the bridge collapse has been initiated, with structural weakness exacerbated by recent rainfall suspected as a contributing factor.
Further details are awaited as rescue operations continue late into the evening.
(Inputs from various reports)
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