Pune: A tragic incident unfolded in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Sunday when a bridge over the Indrayani river collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two tourists and leaving several others missing. The mishap occurred at Kundmala, a popular monsoon tourist spot in the Maval region.
The collapse took place while scores of visitors were on the bridge, drawn by the scenic beauty during the rainy season. Many fell into the swollen river, with reports suggesting that some were swept away by the strong current.
According to officials, 32 people sustained injuries, six of whom are in critical condition. Six individuals have been rescued so far, as a massive search-and-rescue operation, led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), continues under high alert.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the tragedy and expressed deep concern, noting that emergency teams have been deployed and relief efforts are ongoing on a war footing.
Adding to the seriousness of the incident, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Pune and surrounding areas, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the ghat sections. The region had already witnessed intense rains over the past 48 hours.
Local residents had reportedly raised red flags over the structural integrity of the bridge, which was last renovated around 4–5 years ago. However, many visiting tourists were unaware of these warnings.
The focus now remains on rescue efforts and locating those missing, while questions over infrastructure safety continue to mount.
