A deadly incident unfolded in the Maval region of Pune on Sunday when a bridge over the Indrayani River collapsed, leading to the deaths of two tourists and leaving many others unaccounted for. The bridge, located at Kundmala—a monsoon hotspot for visitors—was crowded when the tragedy struck.

According to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, 32 people have been injured, six of them critically. Six individuals were pulled out of the river alive, while several others are believed to have been swept away by the strong current.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police and emergency teams, is conducting an extensive search and rescue operation. "Efforts are being made on a war footing. NDRF teams are at the site and rescue work has been expedited," said Fadnavis in a social media update. He also announced that families of the deceased will receive ₹5 lakh in compensation and that the government will cover the medical expenses of those injured.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar pointed to the deteriorated condition of the bridge and overcrowding—including multiple two-wheelers on it—as likely reasons for the collapse. He added that an ₹8 crore replacement bridge had already been sanctioned and has sought a report from the district collector.

Another Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, has ordered structural inspections of all river bridges across the state. "This incident will be thoroughly investigated, and strict action will follow. No one will be spared," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently overseas in Cyprus, was briefed on the situation by Fadnavis. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his condolences to the affected families.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos. A man named Amol, who survived the fall, said the bridge shook noticeably before it gave way. "I was in the water for 15 minutes before I managed to grab onto a pipe and get out. Locals rushed in to help us," he said.

Another witness, Latika, recalled seeing nearly 50 people on the bridge at the time of its collapse. She had been there with her mother and uncle.

The incident comes as the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas remain under an orange alert due to intense rainfall, particularly in the ghat regions. Reports suggest that locals had previously raised concerns about the condition of the bridge, which had undergone repairs around four to five years ago. However, many tourists were unaware of the risks posed by its weakened state.