Pune, June 17, 2025 – A fun Father’s Day outing in Pune turned into a terrible tragedy on June 15 when an old iron bridge over the Indrayani River in Kundmala, near Talegaon, collapsed. Over 125 tourists were on the bridge when it broke, killing four people, including a father and his son, and injuring 51 others. The 32-year-old bridge, popular for selfies during the monsoon, couldn’t handle the crowd and fell into the river. People are upset and asking why such an old bridge wasn’t fixed, and the government is promising to make things safer.
What Happened?
The Kundmala bridge, near the Indrayani River, was a favorite spot for tourists because of its beautiful views, especially in the rainy season when the river is full. On June 15, it was Father’s Day, and many families visited to enjoy the scenery. Around 4 PM, over 125 people, including kids, were on the bridge, taking photos and having fun. Suddenly, the bridge made a loud noise and collapsed, throwing people into the fast-moving river below.
Pune’s District Collector, Jitendra Dudi, said, “55 people fell when the bridge broke. We rescued 51, who are okay now, but sadly, four people died.” The victims included a 38-year-old father and his 10-year-old son from Kamshet, a 25-year-old woman from Pune, and a 30-year-old man from a nearby village. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) worked fast to save people. A photo shared by @ZeeNews on X showed a crowded bridge just before it fell, with families unaware of the danger.
Why Did the Bridge Break?
The Kundmala bridge was built in 1993 and was meant for villagers to walk across, not for big crowds. It could only hold about 50 people, but on that day, it had over twice that number. The bridge was old, rusty, and weak. In 2023, the Talegaon Dabhade Municipal Council warned that it was in bad shape, but plans for a new bridge were delayed because of money problems. A user on X, @ruskievityazi, said, “That bridge was never meant for so many people, especially in the monsoon.”
Heavy rains made the river stronger, weakening the bridge’s supports. The extra weight from the crowd was too much, and it collapsed. Police officer Vishal Gaikwad told ANI, “It was an old iron bridge, and too many people caused it to fall.” Engineers found rusted beams and loose bolts, with no recent repairs done. This tragedy reminds people of the 2022 Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat, where 135 died.
Rescue Efforts and Sadness
Rescue teams worked hard to save people from the river. Videos on X from @ANI showed NDRF and SDRF pulling survivors out of the water, some holding onto broken pieces of the bridge. Five to seven injured people were taken to Talegaon General Hospital, mostly for broken bones or small injuries. Collector Dudi said, “Our teams acted fast and saved many lives.” But finding the four bodies, including the young boy, broke everyone’s hearts. A Kamshet resident told The Indian Express, “They went for a happy day out, but now we’re planning their last rites.”
The Maharashtra government promised ₹5 lakh for the families of those who died and ₹50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ordered a big investigation by the Public Works Department (PWD) to find out what went wrong. He said, “We’ll punish anyone responsible and build a new bridge soon.”
People Are Angry
This tragedy has made people very upset. On X, @ManiWithTheMic called it part of “a chain of disasters,” asking the government to act. Another user, @IndiaToday, said the local council ignored warnings about the bridge’s bad condition. Locals are mad that there were no signs or guards to stop too many people from going on the bridge. “It was a tourist spot, but no one checked it,” said a shopkeeper near Kundmala.
This comes after other big accidents, like the Ahmedabad Air India crash (270 deaths) and the Kedarnath helicopter crash (7 deaths), making people ask if India’s bridges and transport are safe. On X, users want all old bridges checked, with one saying, “How many more deaths before we fix these traps?”
What’s Next?
The Kundmala collapse is a warning about old bridges in Maharashtra. Places like Lonavala and Malshej Ghat also get big crowds in the monsoon, and some bridges there are old too. The PWD is now checking all bridges in Pune, and a report will come soon. The new Kundmala bridge, planned for 2024 but delayed, will now be built quickly. Police have closed the area for now, and tourism boards are telling people to avoid crowded spots.
Experts say bridges need regular checks, especially old ones. “Monsoon tourism is great, but we need safety,” said engineer Anil Kulkarni to Hindustan Times. They want systems to watch crowd sizes and fix bridges before they break.
A Sad Lesson
The Kundmala tragedy has left Pune in sorrow. Families, like the father and son who just wanted a fun day, are gone, and survivors are hurt. On X, someone wrote, “Kundmala was for happy moments, not sadness. Fix our bridges!” The government is working to make things safer, but for now, people are mourning and hoping this never happens again.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 7:27 pm by Mohammad Hussain Shaik | Published by: Mohammad Hussain Shaik on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 7:27 pm | News Categories: News, India
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