A leisurely Sunday afternoon turned into a scene of horror near Pune, when an old iron pedestrian bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed at around 3:30 PM IST, plunging dozens of tourists into the fast flowing waters below. The bridge stood in the Kundamala area of Maval tehsil, a hub of weekend picnickers drawn by gorges, waterfalls, and monsoon charm.
📍 The Incident in Detail
According to Pimpri Chinchwad police and state officials, the 30 year old iron bridge a structure originally built for local foot and two wheeler traffic suddenly gave way under the weight of around 100–125 people standing on it . Heavy rains over recent days had swollen the Indrayani, and though it wasn’t raining at the moment of collapse, water levels remained dangerously high, surging through the bridge’s girders just before it buckled
Multiple sources cite the timing between 3:30 and 4:00 PM on 15 June 2025, when dozens of tourists were reportedly standing atop the bridge to take photographs or enjoy the scene . Witnesses describe “a loud crack followed by an instant plunge,” with sharp gasps as many tumbled into fast moving water.
Casualty and Rescue Overview
- Fatalities: At least two confirmed dead .
- Injuries: 32 injuries reported, with 6 critically injured under hospital care
- Rescued: About 38 individuals rescued so far, some from the riverbanks, others from being trapped in bridge debris .
- Missing/Swept Away: Between 20–25 people feared missing, swept downstream by the river’s strong current .
Search and Recovery
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Pimpri‑Chinchwad police, fire brigade, local volunteers, and state disaster management officials mobilized quickly . Rescue operations include inflatable boats, divers, cranes for debris removal, and floating chains to trap floating victims .
Northern Maharashtra’s monsoon swollen rivers have heightened the urgency of the rescue, but river currents and submerged wreckage are hampering efforts .
Voices from the Ground
Image Credit: Hindustan Times / PTI
Official Response
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, confirmed two deaths and 32 injuries, and pledged full relief and rescue support. He directed continuous monitoring from state and district control rooms .
- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde added that 38 tourists had been safely evacuated so far, a structural audit of similar bridges will be ordered, and a formal investigation into this collapse will follow.
- Supriya Sule appealed for public caution during the ongoing monsoon and underlined the importance of obeying safety advisories .
- MLA Shelke and local officials reiterated bans had been placed on tourist access to the bridge, but enforcement had not reached full effect .
Causes Under Scrutiny
Preliminary observations suggest a combination of:
- Poor bridge integrity: The 30 year old iron structure was previously used only by farmers and motorcycles, yet it’s unclear when it last underwent a structural audit
- Overloading: With around 125 people on the bridge many gathered at a central span the stress likely exceeded its capacity .
- High water pressure: Heavy monsoon rains in recent days caused turbulent flow that likely accelerated structural wear and weakened foundational supports .
Visual Evidence
Video clips released by news agencies captured the collapse. One shows the bridge disintegrating amid a rush of white water, instantly dropping people into the abyss . These visuals have deeply disturbed communities and renewed calls for stricter safety across similar tourist infrastructure.
Immediate Action & Long-Term Measures
Ongoing Rescue
- NDRF teams are intensifying underwater search and debris clearance
- Hospitals in Talegaon and Pimpri-Chinchwad have admitted injured individuals, with critical patients under observation
Structural Audits
- Following directions from Deputy CM Shinde, the state government will commission audits of iron and wooden pedestrian bridges across Maharashtra to evaluate safety under monsoonal stress .
Accountability
- An official inquiry is underway to determine whether proper inspections were carried out and if warning signage or barricades were installed as required .
- Elected officials have cautioned that the “maximum action” will be taken against those found negligent .
Public Warning
- Warnings about riverbank safety have been amplified ahead of the heavy monsoon season. Just this month, Pune District Collector had issued orders limiting tourist activity in similar vulnerable zones .
Wider Implications & Public Reaction
The incident represents a grim reminder of recurring tragedies at monsoon-time tourist locales in India, often involving dilapidated footbridges or temporary structures. Social media users have lamented that preventable oversight continues to cost lives. As crowds heed the monsoon’s mystique, governance systems must ensure vigilance over fragile public infrastructure.
Local residents report regular overflow of the Indrayani during peak monsoon, but express frustration that maintenance lagged behind prior warnings. Activists advocate for mandatory engineering assessments of all rural tourist footbridges an initiative once considered but never fully realized.
With monsoon rivers now filling, authorities vow to install cameras, put up barricades, and employ local watchers during peak tourism weekends to prevent recurrence.
On the Ground: A Timeline
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 3:30–4:00 PM | Bridge collapses under crowd near Kundamala waterfall. |
| Within minutes | Locals and police begin rescue; many rescued swim to shore. |
| 4:00–5:00 PM | NDRF and fire brigade arrive; cranes and boats deployed. |
| 5–6:00 PM | Hospitals report 32 injured; 6 critical. |
| 6:00–7:00 PM | Officials confirm 2 deaths; 38 rescued; 20-25 missing. |
| Post‑7:00 PM | Rescue continues overnight; structural audit ordered. |
Reflection: Safety vs. Leisure
As families pursued monsoon-day recreation, tragedy struck at a moment when infrastructure failed. The story underlines the need for systematic checks regardless of how “natural” or “rustic” the setting appears. It’s a wake-up call to treat monsoon tourism with caution and preparedness rather than spontaneity.
Final Thoughts
Today’s collapse is not merely a local disaster it is a statewide signal that safety standards, prior only on paper, must be enforced with real urgency. Maharashtra’s authorities now walk a tightrope: balancing the economic benefits of rural tourism against the imperative of human safety. Rescue efforts continue, hopes rest on afternoon survivors, and families await news of their loved ones. But one thing is clear: this event demands accountability, structural changes, and a cultural shift toward safer monsoon travel.