Pune bridge collapse near Indrayani River sparks horror—30 feared drowned, 2 dead, and NDRF rescue underway. Here’s what happened.
A Quiet Sunday Turns into Chaos in Maval
A peaceful Sunday outing turned into a disaster on Sunday afternoon in Maharashtra’s Pune district. At about 3.40 P.M., a part of a bridge on the Indrayani River in the Maval area collapsed without any warning, sweeping away more than half a hundred people who were lightheartedly spending their time. The quiet Kund Mala neighborhood became a rescue center within minutes.
25 to 30 Feared Washed Away in the Raging Current
Eyewitnesses described a scary scene as the bridge broke apart, tossing people and cars into the rain-swollen river below. With the Indrayani River flowing in full force following heavy rains, the water showed no mercy. Between 25 to 30 people are feared to have been swept away and two dead bodies have been retrieved already.
Families, Tourists, and Children Among the Victims
It was a weekend and there were families, kids, and bike riders. Disaster struck while many were on the bridge clicking photos. Some landed directly on jagged rocks below and were seriously injured, while others disappeared beneath the currents of the river. There were nearly 200 visitors at the time, and rescue crews quickly worked to evacuate people for their safety and search and rescue coordination.
Ignored Warnings, Rusted Bridge, and an Avoidable Tragedy
The Village Voice reports that shockingly, the residents had informed the administration that the bridge was falling apart. Its framework was crusted with layers of rust, and recent rains had added to the mess. Still, no action was taken. On the day of the collapse, some residents were spotted riding bicycles across the bridge despite multiple public announcements of its danger.
Rescue Mission Races Against Time as Darkness Looms
Rescue efforts got underway quickly. Two NDRF teams, 22 ambulances, and several fire tenders were pressed into service. With light waning quickly, officials increased the intensity of the search, deploying boats to scan the river downriver. Teams have also been sent to surrounding villages to search for potential survivors.
Final Word: A Shocking Reminder of Neglect
What went down in Pune’s Maval is not some freak accident but also a haunting reminder of how things can go wrong when there’s no heeding to warnings. Now, with rescue operations underway, the question is shifting to accountability and how many more lives must be lost before dysfunctional infrastructure receives the attention it sorely lacks.
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