Pune’s Kundmala Tragedy: No Bodies Found Despite Drone Search; Authorities Halt Operations Due to No Official Missing Complaint
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Maval, 16th June 2025: Several new details have emerged in the Kundmala tragedy, which has claimed four lives so far after an iron pedestrian bridge built over the Indrayani River collapsed. At the time of the incident, over 100 tourists were on the bridge, enjoying the scenic beauty. Following last night’s rescue efforts, drones were deployed for search operations this morning. However, the search was called off as officials stated there is no hope of recovering any additional bodies or missing persons, though locals continue to claim that a few people are still unaccounted for.
After the bridge collapse near Induri in Maval taluka on Sunday, the Talegaon MIDC Police, Raigad Disaster Management Team, and four local rescue teams carried out extensive search operations until 2 PM on Monday using drones. No bodies were recovered, and the operation was stopped due to the absence of any official missing person complaints. Meanwhile, 35 of the 50 injured have been discharged from the hospital. Eleven remain in the ICU, and four are under treatment in the general ward. Police confirmed that all are in stable condition.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Vishal Gaikwad told Punekar News, “Today, after sunset, the search operations were stopped. We have not heard of anyone missing, nor have we received any complaints regarding it. Out of the injured, 11 people are still in the ICU, but all of them are stable and not critical, while the others have been discharged.”
Locals Face 15-Kilometre Detour
The bridge collapse has severely impacted daily life for around 20,000 residents from Shelarwadi, Kundmala, Sangurdi, Indori, Kanhewadi, Yelawadi, and Sudawadi, who use the route to reach Begdewadi railway station. Students, milk vendors, flower sellers, and farmers now have to take a 14-kilometre detour via Indori to Talegaon Dabhade to travel to Pimpri-Chinchwad or Pune city.
Rotary Club of Pimpri Saved Lives?
The iron safety net installed by the Rotary Club of Pimpri Elite on the pedestrian bridge proved to be a lifesaver during the collapse. Several tourists held onto the net and avoided being swept away by the river, enabling the local disaster response team to rescue them safely. Multiple accidents had already been reported in Kundmala in the past year. Recognizing the risk, the Rotary Club had installed the safety nets on both sides of the bridge in April. Still, despite such measures, tourists continued to overcrowd the narrow bridge on weekends, often engaging in dangerous behavior and confrontations with locals.
