National News: On Sunday, panic gripped the Kundamala area of Maval tehsil in Pune district when an old iron bridge over the Indrayani River suddenly collapsed. So far, four people have been confirmed dead in this tragic incident, while several others are feared missing. The accident occurred between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM, at a time when a large number of tourists were present on the bridge.
Pune District Magistrate Jitendra Dudi informed that 38 people have been rescued so far, out of which 30 have been admitted to hospitals, while six are seriously injured. NDRF teams have been deployed at the site, and a continuous search and rescue operation is underway.
Old, Rusted Bridge Suspected to Have Collapsed Under Crowd Pressure
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed grief over the accident and stated that preliminary investigations suggest the bridge was old and rusted. He mentioned that a sudden crowd gathering on the bridge may have led to its collapse due to structural failure.
Chief Minister Fadnavis Expresses Grief, PM Modi Takes Stock
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Deeply saddened by the news of the bridge collapse over the Indrayani River at Indori near Talegaon in Pune district. I pay heartfelt tribute to the deceased and express my condolences to their families.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to CM Fadnavis and inquired about the situation, receiving updates on the ongoing rescue operations.
15 Still Missing, Search Intensified
According to Pimpri-Chinchwad police and the local administration, around 10 to 15 people are still feared missing. So far, 5 to 6 people have been safely rescued, but the strong river current and fading daylight have posed challenges to the ongoing rescue efforts.
NCP MLA Confirms Two Tourist Deaths
NCP MLA Sunil Shelke, who visited the site, said, “This is an extremely unfortunate incident in which two tourists have lost their lives. We are actively involved in ongoing relief operations.”
Joint Operation by NDRF and Police
DCP Vishal Gaikwad (Zone 2, Pimpri-Chinchwad) stated that teams from the NDRF, local police, and fire departments are jointly conducting a challenging and sensitive rescue operation. So far, three people have been rescued alive from the river.
