Overcrowded Pune Bridge Collapses, Four Dead

Pune : A tragic incident unfolded in Pune’s Maval tehsil on Sunday afternoon when a 32-year-old iron footbridge collapsed over the Indrayani River, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to at least 18 others. The bridge, primarily meant for pedestrian use, was declared unsafe in the past, but continued to be accessed by locals and tourists alike, especially on weekends. According to officials, the collapse was triggered by overcrowding, as a large number of people gathered on the structure ignoring clear warning signs displayed at the site.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bridge was shaking moments before it collapsed. Many victims said there was a sudden surge in foot traffic as groups of tourists arrived almost simultaneously, causing the narrow bridge to become jam-packed. Vehicles parked near the entrance also created additional congestion, further complicating the movement of people. Locals added that the bridge had been showing signs of wear for years but had not been properly maintained or barricaded.

Rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident, with local police, disaster response teams, and medical staff rushing to the spot. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals in Talegaon and Pune city, where some are still in critical condition. Maharashtra Chief Minister has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that the weight of the crowd exceeded the bridge’s capacity, leading to the collapse.

Authorities have now cordoned off the entire area, and an engineering audit of similar old structures in the district has been ordered. The district administration is also under scrutiny for allowing access to a structure previously marked as dangerous. This incident has sparked renewed concerns about infrastructure safety in tourist-heavy regions.

In the wake of the tragedy, citizens and political leaders are demanding accountability and urgent reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. Many believe stricter monitoring, better signage, and real-time crowd control mechanisms are essential to ensure public safety, especially at aging infrastructure sites that continue to draw footfall despite warnings.