Pune Indrayani river bridge collapse leaves 4 dead, 18 injured
Of the 30 people hospitalised, 6 in serious condition; DyCM Ajit Pawar says bridge was rusted and it probably gave way as several people were standing on it
Four persons died and 18 were seriously injured after an old iron bridge on River Indrayani collapsed on Sunday (June 15) afternoon in Pune's Maval tehsil, officials said.
While two persons succumbed to injuries during treatment after being rescued, the bodies of two persons were recovered from underneath the collapsed portion of the bridge, officials said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said six people have been rescued so far, and a search operation is being conducted on a war footing as some people were swept away. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Cyprus, spoke to Fadnavis and was briefed on the ongoing efforts.
Fadnavis later announced that the state government will provide a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the bridge collapse. Additionally, the state government will bear the cost of the medical treatment of the injured.
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Some people swept away
The incident occurred in the Kundamala area frequented by picnickers, officials said. They said the area has been witnessing heavy rains over the last few days, sending the river in spate.
“I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the tragedy that occurred when a bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed in Indori, near Talegaon in Pune district. According to preliminary information, 2 people have died in this incident. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share the grief of their families,” Fadnavis said on X.
The chief minister further said he had spoken with the Divisional Commissioner, District Collector, Superintendent of Police and the Tehsildar concerned.
He said a search was launched on a war footing as some people were swept away and NDRF has been deployed at the spot.
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The relief work has been immediately accelerated, he added.
Bridge was rusted: Ajit Pawar
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar later said the iron bridge that collapsed was rusted and prima facie it seems it gave way as several people were standing on the structure.
Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi said 38 people have been rescued so far, and 30 of them hospitalised, while six others sustained serious injuries.
The collector said the exact number of people present on the bridge when it collapsed and swept away is being assessed. “We are also assessing how many people are missing,” he added.
New bridge sanctioned
Deputy Chief Minister Pawar said, “We have received various versions of the incident. According to preliminary information, the bridge was old and rusted. Many people were standing on the bridge when it collapsed.”
He said a plan for constructing a new bridge over the river was sanctioned.
Officials said the emergency response units, including the Pune rural police, fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and others are conducting rescue operations.
(With agency inputs)