At least four people were confirmed dead and many others swept away after an iron bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed Sunday near Kundamala, a popular tourist spot in India’s Pune district, Maharashtra.
The tragedy occurred as dozens of tourists were on the bridge, which gave way suddenly, plunging many into the river below.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the fatalities, saying, “Some people got swept away, so a search operation is underway on a war footing to find them.”
Fadnavis also reported that aix people were rescued, 32 were injured, including six in critical condition and that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other emergency teams are on high alert at the site, according to dw.com
Local media reported that the collapse happened amid high tourist activity in the Kundamala area, which has seen intense rainfall in recent days. The Indrayani River was swollen, though it was not raining at the time of the collapse.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaotic as panicked tourists fell into the fast-moving river, with many still unaccounted for.
India continues to grapple with infrastructure safety issues, with previous bridge disasters still fresh in memory. Notably, in 2022, a suspension bridge in Gujarat collapsed, killing at least 132 people.
This latest incident once again highlights the urgent need for structural audits and safety checks on aging infrastructure across the country. A formal investigation into the cause of the bridge collapse is expected to begin once rescue operations conclude.
