Pune: Four Dead As Old Bridge Collapses Over Indrayani River In Kundmala Area Of Maval; Survivors Recall Horror

Maval, 16th June 2025: A tragic incident struck the Kundmala area of Maval in Pune district on Sunday (15th June), when a decades-old bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed under the weight of a large crowd, killing four people and injuring several others. The incident occurred around 3:30 pm, just as hundreds of devotees and tourists were using the bridge to visit a temple on the other side.

Officials confirmed that all other individuals who fell into the water have been rescued. However, a thorough search of the Indrayani River using drones is scheduled for Monday (16th June) morning to ensure no one remains unaccounted for. The injured are currently being treated at various hospitals across the district.

Eyewitness accounts from survivors paint a chilling picture of the moment the bridge gave way. One such survivor who was injured along with his wife recounted the terrifying scene. “We had parked our vehicle about a few meters away due to the crowd and decided to walk. As we reached the center of the bridge, two motorcycles were trying to pass each other despite no space. The bridge was already packed with people,” he said.

“There must have been around few thousand people in the area and about 1,000 to 2,000 on the bridge itself. Everyone was pushing to move forward, no one was willing to wait. We were all headed to the temple. The bridge started shaking from the load. It couldn’t withstand the weight and suddenly collapsed,” he added. “I saw three people die in front of me. Metal rods from the bridge fell on their backs, breaking their spines.”

Yet another survivor speaking to ANI, said, “There was too much pressure on one point of the bridge. I noticed it was shaking and turned to warn my sister. Before I could finish my sentence, the entire bridge collapsed. It must have fallen at least 40 feet.”

Sunday, being a weekend, had attracted heavy footfall in the Kundmala region, a popular spot for both pilgrims and tourists. The sudden collapse of the bridge, which locals say was in a deteriorated condition, has now raised serious concerns about the maintenance of aging public infrastructure.