Bridge Collapse Over Indrayani River in Pune Leaves At Least Six Dead
More than half a dozen people have died and dozens are missing after an old iron footbridge over the Indrayani River collapsed on Sunday afternoon in Kundamala village, Maval taluka near Pune. The bridge, frequented by tourists during the monsoon, suddenly gave way around 3:30 pm when approximately 20–25 people were on it.
Local MLA Sunil Shelke confirmed six fatalities. Rescue agencies are working relentlessly to find the missing, who are believed to have been swept downstream by the river’s swollen currents. Police sources say there is still uncertainty over the exact number of casualties, with up to 10–15 feared trapped under the debris. Several individuals were rescued promptly after the collapse, but operations continue to locate others.
Following the collapse, the Pimpri‑Chinchwad Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), medical teams, firefighters, and local volunteers responded swiftly. Rescue boats have been deployed along with divers to search beneath the remaining structure. Authorities have urged the public to stay away from the site to facilitate rescue efforts.
The river’s heavy monsoon-fed flow, strong enough to sweep people and vehicles away, hindered rescue operations. The bridge, described as old and lightly constructed, had reportedly been shut for heavy traffic without barricades. Nevertheless, it continued to be used by pedestrians and tourists.
This tragedy has intensified scrutiny over the safety of aging rural infrastructure in monsoon-prone regions. Delhi-based regulatory bodies and Maharashtra’s Public Works Department are expected to conduct inspections across thousands of similar bridges statewide to prevent future collapses.
Local communities near Dehu and Alandi—holy pilgrimage destinations upstream—often use this bridge to cross the Indrayani, a river revered in Maharashtra and fed by heavy seasonal rainfall. Authorities are now pledging urgent infrastructure audits and immediate repairs at Kundamala.
As evening sets in, rescue teams press on amid fading daylight. Officials warn the final casualty count may climb if missing persons remain unaccounted for after the rising tide recedes. Next steps involve search-and-recovery efforts, forensic verification, and compensation assistance to families of the deceased.
