Tragedy at Indrayani : What should have been a calm weekend turned into a heartbreaking tragedy in Pune’s Maval tehsil. On June 15, 2025, a 100-year-old iron bridge collapsed over the Indrayani River, taking lives and sparking questions about safety and responsibility. This account explores what happened, what was missed, and what must be learned.

When a ‘Historic’ Bridge Was the Scene of Sorrow

For quite a few families and visitors in Pune’s Maval tehsil, Sunday, June 15, 2025, should have been just another lazy weekend. But what happened that afternoon turned a beautiful stretch near the Indrayani River into a scene of heartache and terror. An iron bridge that was more than a century old collapsed suddenly around 3:30 p.m., killing at least two and wounding dozens of others.

What should have been a serene Sunday by the river instead became a somber reminder of unheeded warnings, heedless signs, and the dangers lurking beneath the pleasant veneer of touristy destinations.

A Day of Leisure Turns Deadly

Kundamala, also located just outside Talegaon at Pune, is a well-liked off-day trip. Visitors to the area, locals and tourists alike, come for the tranquil views, with the scene near the Kundmala Devi Temple – a site famous for its beauty and, unfortunately, a history of accidents involving selfies.

It was a Sunday, and a lot of people had congregated on the bridge to take pictures or enjoy the sights or a stroll. But the iron bridge, constructed during the British colonial rule and believed to have been more than 100 years old, collapsed under the weight of the crowd. Within seconds, a haven of joy was transformed into a film of chaos and desperation.

Victims and Rescue Work

At least two people have died in the collapse, according to multiple official sources. Several others are feared to have been carried away in the river’s current. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar were on spot to take stock of the relief and rescue operations and confirmed the deaths while expressing grief for the same.

First reports said 5 people were injured, but as the rescue effort picked up, they became more precise. In total, 32 people were injured, and six are in critical condition. As per the last official update, 39 persons were rescued in a operations carried out by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams of the fire brigade and local police.

Two teams of NDRF were rushed to the spot soon after the collapse. The rescue was complicated by the current in the river and the rocky riverbed and hindered by several days of heavy rains, which had swollen the water despite the fact that it was not raining at the time of the collapse.

Warnings That Went Unheeded

What’s most painful about this tragedy is that it was avoidable. This was not the first time officials had raised red flags. The sign below the bridge’s decayed arch spelled out the rules: “Do not use this bridge.” Four years ago, officials posted an explicit signboard ordering the public not to cross. It was that the span, rusty and visibly weakening, was no longer safe. But the sign went largely ignored.

A Talegaon police officer said many tourists, who were mainly from Pune, would engage in arguments with the on-duty staff and not obey the warning. But the bridge was more than a photo opportunity – it operated as a working link for villagers in the area, who crossed it on foot or bicycle daily.

The local police and MIDC staff were usually called out for crowd control during the weekend. But even with manpower and warnings, the siren call of the location’s beauty kept drawing large crowds – and with them, significant danger.

The Scene of the Collapse

Local witnesses said there were up to 100 people on or near the bridge when it fell. Some were able to swim to shore; others were swept into the river. The structure fell with no apparent shake or noise, none at all,” he said. “No warning.

Fed by recent rains, though, the river steamed forward between a bed of rocks which seemed riskier and riskier by the monsoon season. There was a rapid failure so people had no chance to act or flee.

An official at the site said that previous incidents happened in the same vicinity, and that they often involved risky behavior, such as taking selfies on the ledge of the temple. For all its charming scenic features, the area has never shaken its fears of safety – concerns freighted with a painful new depth of meaning.

Voices of Leadership and of Condolence

Leaders on both sides of the political spectrum mourned and vowed support for ongoing efforts as the nation reacted to the news.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief on the incident and took to Twitter to post: “In the unfortunate incident, 2 killed in the wall collapse. My sympathies go out to them. We mourn with their loved ones.” He said the rescue teams were put on red alert and every possible medical aid was being provided to the injured.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said the bridge was structurally weak and had become rusty, and plans to build a new one were already approved. “We have had several accounts of the incident. According to the initial report, the bridge was dilapidated and rusty. A lot of people on the bridge when it collapsed,” he said.

“Very unfortunate,” tweeted Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party, urging the public to be cautious when practising monsoon tourism. She spoke to the District Collector of Pune and made sure that all requisite support was sent to the site.

The injured have been visited at a local hospital by P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. “We need to feel the pain, share the grief and offer our sentiments to victims,” he added gravely outside the morgue.

The Human Cost of Neglect

Though numbers give us an overview, it’s the personal stories that reverberate loudest in the aftermath of a disaster of this magnitude. The anguish of families awaiting word. The terror of tourists trapped in the collapse. The silent courage of villagers who plunged into the river to save others. These are the stories that don’t always end up in headlines, but that form the emotional crux of such catastrophic events.

Each person is saved, and the effect ripples out – families unburdened, friends grateful. The hours are aching with pain and waiting for word of those who are still missing or wounded. And for two families who have already confirmed that their loved ones have died, this weekend has altered their lives irrevocably.

A Lesson That Must Be Learned

This bridge collapse is more than a headline with an air of tragedy. It is a wake-up call for both the authorities and the public.

• For authorities: Are warning signs enough? Should unsafe bridges be dismantled altogether?
• For the public: Risking lives for photos, shortcuts, or scenic thrill must never outweigh safety considerations.

Tourism in places like Kundamala needs to be carefully regulated, not only by way of signs but also with strong enforcement and community involvement. Villagers, visitors and authorities will have to come together to ensure people are safe – and that safety is not negotiable.

Also read, Miraculous Survival in Deadly Plane Crash: One Passenger Found Alive

Looking Ahead

The misfortune in Indrayani River is heart rending. But in the wake of it, there is a responsibility – to be better and closer listeners, and to act before it’s too late. The bridge may have fallen, but may it not represent the fall of accountability or society’s responsibility.

History echoes with the voices and the suffering of the silenced. The work of the rescuers should not be in vain. And may this week – this weekend of jokes and selfies – be the one that changes it all forever.

Because no family should lose a loved one to a threat that can and should be prevented.

Conclusion On Tragedy at Indrayani

The bridge collapse at Indrayani was more than an accident – it was a tragedy built on neglect, overlooked warnings, and misplaced priorities. With at least two lives lost and many more shaken, this incident is a reminder that beauty cannot come at the cost of safety. From government enforcement to public responsibility, every layer of the system must evolve. We owe it to those lost, and to those who continue to visit such sites in search of peace – not peril.

FAQs

• What caused the Indrayani bridge to collapse?
  The bridge was over 100 years old and structurally unsound. Despite warnings and a posted signboard, it was still used heavily by tourists and locals.
• How many people were affected in the incident?
  At least 2 people died, 32 were injured (6 critically), and 39 were rescued, with some still feared missing as of the latest reports.
• Was the collapse preventable?
  Yes. Officials had posted warnings as early as four years ago declaring the bridge unsafe. Public disregard and lack of enforcement played a role in the tragedy.
• Who is responsible for ensuring safety in such areas?
  Responsibility is shared between local government bodies, law enforcement, and the public. Each has a role in ensuring compliance and safety awareness.
• What steps are being taken post-incident?
  Rescue operations were promptly initiated, leaders expressed condolences, and the government confirmed that a new bridge was already planned for the site.

Reference

Maharashtra: Two killed as bridge collapses on Indrayani river near Pune