Tragedy in Pune: Bridge Collapse Over Indrayani River Leaves Grief, Fear in Its Wake
Pune: A quiet Sunday afternoon in Maharashtra’s Pune district turned into a scene of chaos, grief, and desperate rescue efforts after an iron bridge spanning the Indrayani River in the Kundamala area of Maval tehsil collapsed unexpectedly. The tragic incident has already claimed at least two lives, with several others still feared missing, believed to have been swept away by the river’s swift current.
According to initial reports from the Talegaon Dabhade police, the bridge gave way around midday, just as dozens of people were crossing it. It was not raining at the time of the collapse, but the river below was in full flow due to the recent spell of heavy monsoon rains that had lashed the region over the past few days.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as surreal and horrifying. “One minute, people were walking across — families, children, young people — and the next, the bridge shook and broke apart. Screams filled the air. Some clung to the twisted metal, while others just vanished into the water,” said a local vendor who was nearby when the disaster struck.
The iron bridge, often used by locals and visitors alike, had become especially busy on the weekend. Families from nearby towns had come for a day out near the scenic riverbanks. For many, what began as a leisurely outing ended in heartbreak.
“We were just taking photographs by the river when we heard a cracking sound,” said a survivor who was pulled out of the water by rescuers. “I turned around and saw people falling. My cousin was with me… she hasn’t been found yet.”
Emergency response was swift. Within minutes, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire services, and local police rushed to the site, battling the river’s flow and the wreckage to rescue those still clinging to debris. So far, five to six people have been rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and observation.
Despite the ongoing efforts, there is growing anxiety among families gathered at the site, waiting for news of loved ones. Some waded into the shallow parts of the river in desperation, calling out names, hoping for a reply.
The atmosphere is one of collective mourning and dread. Locals, who had long depended on the bridge, are now left questioning how such a critical structure could collapse so suddenly. Many residents claim the bridge showed signs of wear for months, with rusted joints and loose bolts — concerns they say went unaddressed despite repeated complaints to local authorities.
Officials have said it is too early to determine the exact cause of the collapse, but they acknowledge the urgent need to assess the structural integrity of similar bridges in the region, especially during the monsoon season.
“This is a painful day for our community,” said a police official overseeing the rescue effort. “We are doing everything we can to find those still missing. Our prayers are with the victims and their families.”
As search operations continue into the night, the once peaceful riverbank of Indrayani now bears the marks of a tragedy that could have been prevented. The community grieves not just for the lives lost, but for the sudden and cruel way in which a place of serenity turned into a scene of sorrow.
