By: Mohan Dubey
Pune: A devastating bridge collapse occurred in Pune’s Maval area, where heavy rainfall over the past few days caused the Indrayani River’s water level to rise. The incident happened when a large number of tourists were present on the old iron bridge, which suddenly gave way, sweeping several people into the water.
Rescue Operations
Maval MLA Sunil Shelke reached the accident site, and a crane has been deployed to remove the collapsed bridge’s iron structure from the water. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are working to locate people potentially trapped under the debris.
Details of incident
When the bridge collapsed, around 50-60 tourists were standing on it, and some people were sitting near the riverbank. The bridge’s sudden collapse trapped several individuals, and two bodies have been recovered so far. There are concerns about administrative negligence, as the bridge was known to be old and had undergone multiple repairs.
Investigation Underway
The authorities have been criticized for allowing vehicles to cross the bridge despite its age and condition. There was also a lack of traffic control measures in the area. The rescue operation is ongoing, with NDRF teams working to locate those still missing in the river.
