In a tragic incident, an old narrow bridge over the River Indrayani near Talegaon in Maharashtra’s Pune district collapsed on Sunday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to 51 others.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed the fatalities, identifying three of the deceased as Chandrakant Salve, Rohit Mane, and Vihaan Mane, while the fourth victim remains unidentified.
“A total of 51 people are injured and admitted to various hospitals for treatment. Three deceased have been identified so far; one male body remains unidentified,” Dudi told media.
The collapse occurred around 3:15 pm, with information reaching authorities within 15 minutes. A massive rescue operation involving 250 personnel was launched promptly. So far, 38 people have been rescued, while two others remain unaccounted for.
“The search is ongoing. Families have informed us about two missing persons, and the operation will continue until all are accounted for,” Dudi added.
Warnings Were Issued, Says District Collector
In a startling admission, Dudi acknowledged that warnings had previously been issued about the bridge’s deteriorating condition, marking it as a risky spot for tourists.
“Despite advisories, the crowd was unusually large today. We will thoroughly investigate this incident. If administrative negligence is found, strict action will be taken,” Dudi assured.
Seven injured persons were shifted to the ICU of Atharva Hospital. While six are reportedly stable, one remains critical, though doctors described the condition as “under control.”
State Officials, Political Leaders React
Maharashtra Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Makarand Patil and District Collector Dudi visited the Civil Hospital to meet the injured and assess the situation.
NCP-SCP MLA Rohit Pawar called the incident “deeply unfortunate,” praising the brave efforts of locals who saved 20-25 lives before NDRF and police teams arrived.
“The bridge was old; there had been talks about renovating it, but sadly, no action was taken,” Pawar said, underlining the need to reassess the condition of hundreds of century-old colonial-era bridges across Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey slammed the authorities, accusing them of gross negligence and claiming that an Rs 8 crore fund had been sanctioned but remained unused.
“This is not just an accident—it’s murder due to administrative failure. Why was no barricading done? Why were tourist safety measures ignored? We demand that CM Devendra Fadnavis and Dy CM Ajit Pawar immediately take action and ensure audits of all such old bridges,” Dubey said.
Rescue, Debris Removal Continue; Cause of Collapse Under Investigation
Rescue agencies removed debris from the riverbed, while experts began inspecting the collapse site. A detailed technical assessment and structural audit of remaining portions of the bridge are underway to determine the precise cause.
The government has promised accountability and safety upgrades across vulnerable tourist infrastructure in the region.