Fatal Collapsing of Iron Bridge at Popular Tourist Spot in Western India Results in 2 Deaths and 32 Injuries

In an accident at a popular tourist site in India’s western Maharashtra state, two individuals lost their lives while 32 others sustained injuries due to the collapse of an iron bridge over a river. The state’s top elected official confirmed the incident.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared that six individuals are in critical condition and have been admitted to hospitals following the unfortunate event. Reports from local media suggested that numerous tourists were present on the bridge when it gave way, causing many to fall into the swollen river.

Fadnavis said six people were rescued and that an intense search operation was ongoing as some people were swept away.

This incident took place in the Kundamala area of Pune district, which has been experiencing heavy rainfall recently, resulting in a strong current in the river, as stated by Press Trust of India.

It was not raining when the bridge collapsed in an area frequented by picnickers, the news agency reported.

Police said teams of the National Disaster Response Force and other search and recovery units have undertaken rescue operations, Press Trust said.

India’s infrastructure has long been marred by safety concerns, sometimes leading to major disasters on its highways and bridges.

In 2022, a century-old cable suspension bridge collapsed into a river in the western state of Gujarat, sending hundreds plunging into the water and killing at least 132 in one of the worst accidents in the country in the past decade.