Two Killed After Bridge Collapses in India

At least two people have been confirmed dead and six others seriously injured following the collapse of an iron bridge over the Indrayani River in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon around 3:30 PM local time (11:00 AM BST) near the town of Indori in Pune district, sparking a frantic rescue operation involving local emergency teams and India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Authorities say the bridge gave way while a significant number of people were walking across it, possibly enjoying a weekend outing in the scenic area. Initial reports suggest that around 20 to 25 people were on the structure at the time of the collapse. Some of them were swept away by the river’s current, while others were trapped in the twisted remnants of the bridge.

Rescue teams, including NDRF personnel, local police, and fire department units, were quickly dispatched to the site. Divers and emergency responders have been working tirelessly to search for survivors and recover those feared to be trapped beneath the debris. Several people were pulled from the river alive but sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Two Dead, Several Injured as Bridge Collapses in Western India

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the fatalities and expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “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. Rescue and relief operations have been accelerated, and the NDRF is fully involved in the effort.”

Fadnavis assured the public that all available resources were being deployed to locate the missing and provide medical assistance to the injured. He also extended condolences to the families of the deceased and promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule also expressed concern over the disaster. “It is feared that some citizens on the bridge may have been swept away,” she said in a public statement. She urged authorities to prioritize the search for those still unaccounted for and to ensure proper care for the injured.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene as the structure crumbled beneath the feet of those crossing it. “The bridge suddenly collapsed. At least 20-25 people were swept away,” said Raghuveer Shelar, a local resident who spoke to Reuters. “Some rescue workers saved a few tourists, and some are feared trapped in the bridge debris.”

The Indrayani River, which flows through Pune district, is a popular spot for picnics and religious visits, especially on weekends. Many of the people on the bridge at the time of the collapse were believed to be local tourists and pilgrims.

Although the exact cause of the collapse is not yet known, preliminary speculation points to structural weaknesses exacerbated by recent monsoon rains and poor maintenance. Officials have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation to determine whether negligence or substandard construction materials played a role in the disaster.

This incident has once again drawn national attention to the state of infrastructure across India, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas where oversight and maintenance are often lacking. It follows a string of similar tragedies in recent years, including the devastating 2022 bridge collapse in Gujarat that claimed over 130 lives.

Experts have long warned that many of India’s bridges, roads, and public buildings are in urgent need of inspection, reinforcement, or reconstruction. Calls for stricter infrastructure audits and accountability in public works projects have grown louder in the wake of each such tragedy.

As rescue efforts continue into Monday, the focus remains on finding any survivors who may be trapped beneath the wreckage and ensuring that the injured receive the medical care they need. The local administration has promised financial compensation to the victims’ families and has pledged that stringent action will be taken if any lapses are uncovered in the construction or maintenance of the bridge.

For now, however, the small community of Indori mourns its loss and prays for the safe recovery of those still missing, as the rest of the country looks on with grief and growing concern over the safety of its public infrastructure.