A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday in Maharashtra’s Kundmala area of Pune, where a bridge over the Indrayani river collapsed amid heavy monsoon rains, leaving four people dead and several others feared drowned. The location, a popular monsoon destination, saw a high footfall of tourists when the structure gave way.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that 39 people had been rescued, while a search operation is ongoing to trace others feared swept away. “Relief work is underway on a war footing, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed at the site,” Fadnavis posted in Marathi. He also announced Rs 5 lakh (Rs 5 million) compensation for the families of the deceased and assured that medical treatment for the injured would be covered by the government.

According to officials, the bridge was overcrowded with pedestrians and two-wheelers when it collapsed. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, also the Guardian Minister of Pune, admitted that the bridge was in poor condition. “A new bridge costing Rs 800 million had been approved. I have asked for an update from the collector,” he said.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said the incident would be thoroughly investigated and strict action would be taken against those responsible. He added that structural audits of all bridges across the state’s rivers would now be conducted to prevent similar tragedies.

Eyewitnesses recalled moments of panic before the collapse. “The bridge shook for five minutes before it fell,” said Amol, a survivor who clung to a pipe for 15 minutes before escaping the river. Another witness, Latika, estimated that at least 50 people were on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently abroad, was briefed by Fadnavis about the incident. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended condolences to the bereaved families.

The collapse occurred in the Maval area of rural Pune, where an orange alert remains in place, with more heavy rainfall predicted in the ghat regions. The district has witnessed intense rainfall over the past two days, swelling rivers and increasing structural strain.

Locals had reportedly raised concerns over the safety of the bridge, which was last renovated four to five years ago. However, many visiting tourists were unaware of its vulnerability, highlighting a critical lapse in public safety communication.

Authorities now face mounting pressure to enforce structural integrity audits and implement stringent safety measures across similar tourist zones and infrastructure.