Indrayani River Bridge Collapse: 2 Dead, 32 Injured in Pune

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon in Maharashtra’s Pune district as an iron bridge over the swollen Indrayani River collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least two people and injuries to 32 others. The catastrophe struck in the Kundamala area of Maval tehsil, near Talegaon, a popular destination for local tourists and picnickers. As per initial reports, six people have been rescued, but several are still feared missing after being swept away by the strong river current.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families. Taking to social media platform X, he said, “I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the tragedy that occurred when a bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed in Indori, near Talegaon in Pune district. 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.”

The Chief Minister confirmed that he had personally spoken to top officials including the Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and the local Tehsildar to coordinate emergency efforts. With the river in full spate due to continuous heavy rainfall over recent days, a large-scale search and rescue operation has been launched. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed and are working on a war footing to locate the missing and provide urgent medical assistance to the injured.

Of the 32 people injured, at least six are said to be in critical condition. They have been rushed to nearby hospitals where medical teams are providing round-the-clock care. The exact number of people still missing is not yet confirmed, as search teams continue combing the riverbanks and surrounding areas.

Eyewitnesses describe a scene of chaos and fear as the bridge gave way without warning, sending vehicles and pedestrians plunging into the turbulent waters below. Locals and early responders acted swiftly, helping pull out several victims even before rescue teams arrived.

This incident has raised serious concerns over infrastructure maintenance and safety, especially during the monsoon season. While the exact cause of the collapse is yet to be officially determined, preliminary suspicions point towards structural weaknesses exacerbated by the heavy rains.

The Maharashtra government has assured the public that all necessary resources have been deployed for rescue and relief, and a detailed investigation into the cause of the collapse will be undertaken. In the meantime, authorities have urged citizens to avoid venturing into high-risk areas, especially near overflowing rivers and old structures weakened by weather conditions.

As Pune grapples with the aftermath of this shocking disaster, the focus remains on saving lives and supporting those affected. The local administration is expected to release further updates as rescue efforts continue through the night.