On June 15, 2025, a terrible accident happened in Pune’s Maval Taluka when an old footbridge over the Indrayani River in Kundmala village collapsed. At least six people died, and 25–30 tourists are feared missing after being swept away by the river. This article explains in simple words what happened, why the bridge fell, and what’s being done about it.
What Happened?
Around 3:00 PM on a Sunday, the iron bridge, popular with tourists, suddenly broke. Many people were on it, enjoying their weekend. The river below was very strong because of heavy rain, and when the bridge collapsed, people fell into the fast-moving water. Witnesses heard screams and saw chaos as the crowd tried to escape.
Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and fire brigade, quickly arrived. They saved 5–6 people so far, and 15 ambulances are helping the injured. But the strong river current is making it hard to find those still missing. On social media platform X, people shared videos and stories of the scary scene, showing how bad it was.
Why Did the Bridge Collapse?
Several reasons caused the bridge to fall:
- Old and Weak Structure: The bridge was very old, built many years ago. Over time, the iron likely rusted, making it weak and unable to hold heavy weight.
- Heavy Rain and Strong River: It’s been raining a lot in Pune this June 2025. The Indrayani River was flowing fast and strongly, putting extra pressure on the bridge’s supports.
- Too Many People: The bridge was crowded with tourists. Too many people on it at once added more weight than it could handle.
- No Proper Care: The bridge might not have been checked or repaired regularly. If it was, workers could have noticed problems and fixed them. People on X are saying the local government didn’t take care of the bridge properly.
- Poor Design: The bridge may not have been built to handle strong floods or big crowds. Experts are checking if it was designed well enough for its location.
What Are Authorities Doing?
Maharashtra’s Minister, Eknath Shinde, said he’s sorry for the loss and promised a full investigation to find out why this happened. He also said the government will take strict action against anyone responsible. They’re offering money to help the families of those who died, but details aren’t clear yet.
The NDRF is working hard with boats and divers to find missing people. Local volunteers are helping too, but the fast river and bad visibility are making it tough. The government has asked people to stay away from the area so rescuers can work safely.
Why Are People Angry?
People are upset and want answers. On X, many are blaming the government for not keeping bridges safe. They’re asking who was responsible for checking the bridge and why it wasn’t fixed. Hashtags like #PuneBridgeCollapse and #IndrayaniTragedy are trending as people share their anger and sadness. This accident reminds everyone of other bridge collapses in cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, making people worry about old structures across India.
What Needs to Happen Next?
This tragedy shows that Pune and other places need to act fast to keep people safe:
- Check All Bridges: The government should inspect all old bridges, especially those over rivers that flood.
- Fix Bridges Regularly: Bridges need frequent checks and repairs to stay strong.
- Build Better Bridges: New or repaired bridges should be made to handle floods and crowds safely.
- Be Honest and Responsible: The government must share information about what went wrong and punish those who didn’t do their job.
Pune is grieving, and the focus now is on finding missing people and helping affected families. But this accident shows bigger problems with old bridges that need to be fixed to stop this from happening again.
How Can You Help?
If you want to support the victims:
- Donate: Local groups are collecting money to help. Look for trusted organizations.
- Raise Awareness: Share this story to tell others about the need for safer bridges.
- Stay Updated: Follow news from the Maharashtra government and NDRF for the latest information.
Last Updated on: Sunday, June 15, 2025 6:06 pm by K Nikhil | Published by: K Nikhil on Sunday, June 15, 2025 6:06 pm | News Categories: News
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