Pune: Six people died and several others are feared drowned after a bridge on a river near Pune collapsed on Sunday afternoon. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have reached the site in Pune, and rescue operation is underway. Locals and police were the first to begin rescue efforts, even before official teams arrived. Two people have been rescued so far.
This area is a popular tourist destination and was crowded at the time of the incident. Residents had reportedly raised concerns earlier about the structural safety of the bridge, but many tourists were unaware of the potential danger. The strong flow of water, worsened by the flooding, may have contributed to the collapse.
According to initial reports, an old bridge over the Indrayani river collapsed in the Talegaon area of Pune on Sunday afternoon, sweeping away at least 15 to 20 people with the speeding stream. The bridge, which had been in a dilapidated state, was closed to vehicular traffic for some time. However, amid heavy rainfall and rising water levels, several people had gathered on the structure to witness the swelling river.
I have spoken to the Divisional Commissioner and Police Commissioner. Some people have been injured and taken to the hospital. It is possible that some people have been swept away. We have not yet received any confirmation of casualties in this regard, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
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