Pune Bridge Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 4, Six Critical as Rescue Operations Continue at Kund Mala
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Talegaon, 15th June 2025: A weekend monsoon outing turned tragic in Maval taluka as the death toll in the Kund Mala bridge collapse over the Indrayani River rose to four. The incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon at a popular tourist spot near Talegaon Dabhade, left dozens swept away by the river’s strong currents. Rescue teams and locals managed to save 38 people, with six critically injured and currently admitted to ICU. The search for others still missing is ongoing. There are total 51 persons injured in the incident. Toll Free number for more information is 1077.
What Happened?
According to officials, the iron footbridge, built decades ago and declared unsafe months earlier, collapsed under the weight of over 100 people and several two-wheelers. Despite warnings and its official closure, tourists continued to use the bridge to access better views and take photographs—particularly during monsoon weekends.
On Sunday, the area saw an unexpected surge in visitors due to school holidays ending and offices being shut. Witnesses said the bridge had started to sway under pressure and eventually gave way around 3:30 pm, plunging many into the rain-swollen Indrayani River.
“The bridge had been closed for two to three months. Yet, people ignored the warnings. It couldn’t bear the load and collapsed suddenly. There should have been security deployment considering the weekend rush,” said a local official from the disaster response team.
Human Stories of Loss
Among the heart-wrenching moments was an elderly woman pleading for help in finding her grandson and son-in-law, both feared drowned. “Please find them and give me some news,” she cried near the banks of the river, encapsulating the pain shared by several families.
Bridge Declared Unsafe—But Still Used
Locals told Punekar News that the bridge was in a dilapidated condition, routinely used by tourists despite having been officially closed. Over the years, it had been partially repaired, but the structure remained weak. On Sunday, the combination of overcrowding, wind pressure, and increased river flow due to rains led to the bridge collapsing.
Tourists continued using the bridge for photos, and videos and to cross from one end to another—even on two-wheelers—despite there being no safety barricades or officials to restrict access.
Government Response and Compensation
Maharashtra Water Resources and Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan visited the site on Sunday evening to review the situation. He announced:
- ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased.
- Full medical expenses of the injured to be covered by the state government.
- An inquiry will be conducted to determine the cause and accountability.
“This is an extremely unfortunate incident. Rescue operations are underway, and we’re investigating how such a tragedy could have been allowed to happen,” Mahajan told the media.
He also appealed to tourists to avoid risky areas during monsoon season and follow local advisories.
Rescue Operations Continue
The NDRF, Aapda Mitra volunteers including Shiv Durg rescue team, Pimpri Chinchwad and PMRDA Fire Brigade, and other local emergency teams are involved in the rescue. Boats, divers, and drones are being used in search operations, while villagers have also joined in with support.
Top Officials at the Site
The review meeting was attended by:
- Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar
- District Collector Jitendra Dudi
- Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey
- Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil
- SDO Surendra Navale and other senior officials
Condolences from State Leadership
State leadership, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Deputy CM and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, have extended their condolences to the grieving families. Baramati MP Supriya Sule visited the spot and met the victims families.
Kund Mala, with its scenic monsoon beauty, has long been a draw for tourists. But Sunday’s tragic incident is a grim reminder of the fatal consequences of administrative neglect and tourist indiscipline. As Pune mourns, the demand for accountability and improved safety at such natural hotspots grows louder.
