A tragic incident unfolded late Sunday night as a bridge over the Indrayani River near Pune collapsed, leaving several tourists feared drowned. The pune bridge collapse occurred around 11:30 PM, catching local residents and travelers off guard. According to officials, the bridge, which connected villages around the popular pilgrimage town of Dehu, suddenly gave way due to intense water flow and weakened infrastructure.
Initial reports suggest that five people, including tourists, may have been swept away in the strong current. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, and local police, were immediately deployed to search for the missing individuals.
Search and Rescue Operation in Full Swing
Efforts to locate the missing people are being carried out under difficult conditions, with high water levels and poor visibility at night. Divers have been deployed and drones are being used for aerial surveillance of the river. Authorities have confirmed that a few vehicles were also on the bridge during the collapse, which has intensified the urgency of the operation.
One woman was rescued by local villagers shortly after the collapse, and she is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Officials continue to work round the clock in the hopes of finding survivors.
Structural Weakness Suspected
Preliminary investigations suggest that the pune bridge collapse may have been caused by weakened supports due to consistent waterlogging and erosion. Officials said the bridge had not been thoroughly maintained in recent years, raising concerns over the broader state of infrastructure in flood-prone regions.
Local residents have long complained about the condition of the bridge, calling for urgent repairs which were delayed multiple times due to budget constraints and red tape.
Government Assures Full Inquiry and Action
The Maharashtra government has promised a full inquiry into the incident. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed condolences to the families of the missing and assured that rescue operations would continue until every missing person is accounted for.
He added that immediate steps would be taken to assess all similar bridges across the region to prevent another tragedy like the pune bridge collapse.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is also expected to visit the site later today and will meet with the affected families.
Local Community Steps Up
The local community in Dehu and nearby villages played a crucial role in the early minutes of the crisis. Dozens of residents rushed to the site with ropes, torches, and boats, helping emergency services begin rescue efforts. Their swift action is being hailed as heroic.
However, locals remain angry about years of official neglect that led to this preventable disaster. They are demanding better infrastructure and regular inspections of bridges and roads in and around Pune.
