People gather at the site, after a bridge collapsed on the Indrayani River, near Kundamala village, under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police station, in Pune on June 15, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Police on Monday (June 16) continued the search operation at the site where an iron bridge collapsed on the Indrayani River in Pune district, even as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) called off its efforts.

Four people died, and 18 were seriously injured when a 32-year-old bridge over the Indrayani River in Maval tehsil collapsed on Sunday (June 15) afternoon.

“Since all missing persons have been accounted for as per directions of the district administration, the search operation has been closed,” an NDRF official said.

According to the authorities, the iron structure collapsed due to overcrowding by tourists who ignored the warning board at the spot.

More than 100 people were on the bridge, a popular spot for tourists and picnickers, when it collapsed around 3.30 p.m. in Kundamala, which received heavy rains in the last few days, giving the river a steady flow, officials said.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel conduct a rescue operation, after a bridge collapsed on the Indrayani River, near Kundamala village, under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police station, in Pune on June 15, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
ANI

“While there is no possibility of anyone still being missing, as a precautionary step, we are continuing the search operation with the help of local rescue groups — Vanyajeev Rakshak Maval Sanstha and Shivdurg trekkers, just to see if anyone is trapped somewhere,” said senior inspector Pradip Rayannawar of Talegaon Dabhade police station.

He said five motorcycles fell into the river after the bridge collapsed, and the vehicle owners have been traced, and most of them were undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The official claimed police personnel were deployed near the bridge on Sunday as well.

“Unfortunately, people coming to these areas don’t adhere to warnings and instructions by the police and locals and risk their lives,” he said.

The district administration had on Sunday (June 15) informed that 51 persons were rescued, and 18 of them sustained serious injuries and were admitted to three different three hospitals, while four died in the accident.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel conduct a rescue operation at the bridge collapse site, in Pune. The bridge was declared unfit for vehicular traffic, while a new structure had been proposed for vehicles, Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi said.
| Photo Credit:
ANI

Collector had declared Indrayani river bridge as dangerous

According to Pune Collector Jitendra Dudi, the bridge had been declared unsafe, but 100 people were on it, and most of them were busy taking selfies.

“A committee will be formed to probe lapses, if any, on the part of the local administration and to check if standard operating procedures should have been implemented. The incident occurred despite warning signs and an existing order banning large gatherings in the area,” he said.

The bridge was declared unfit for vehicular traffic, while a new structure had been proposed for vehicles, Mr. Dudi said.

Maharashtra Minister of Disaster Management Girish Mahajan, who was at the site monitoring rescue efforts on Sunday (June 15), said the bridge collapsed under the weight of a large number of tourists.

“The bridge was meant for pedestrians only, and there was a warning board stating that it cannot be used by two-wheelers. It seems people on the bridge did not heed these instructions, which caused the incident,” Mr. Mahajan had told reporters.

Pune, Jun 15 (ANI): People seen at the site after a bridge collapsed on the Indrayani River near Kundamala village, under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police station, in Pune on Sunday. Reportedly, four to six people rescued and 10 to 15 people feared trapped. (Pimpri Chinchwad Police/ANI Photo)
| Photo Credit:
ANI

Warning boards had been put up at the site: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday (June 16) said the iron pedestrian bridge on the Indrayani River in Pune had been declared dangerous by the District Collector, and warning boards had been put up at the site.

Talking to reporters at an event in Palghar, Mr. Fadnavis said the contract for a new bridge at the site in Maval tehsil had been awarded, and work has begun.

He said that the structure had been declared dangerous by the District Collector before the incident, and villagers had also placed warning boards.

Tourists might not have been aware of the severity of the bridge’s condition, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the administration had identified 500 dangerous locations, including bridges and water bodies, across Pune district for the monsoon season.

“Notifications have been issued, and at some places, police are posted while villagers are also involved in cautioning people. We have to handle this with much more caution,” he said, adding that he has instructed the district collector to implement safety measures at these vulnerable tourist spots.