Tragic Pune Bridge Collapse Leaves 4 Dead, 51 Injured Amid Tourist Rush

In a heart-wrenching incident, the Pune bridge collapse on Sunday evening claimed four lives and left 51 others injured after an old pedestrian bridge gave way under the pressure of heavy tourist footfall. The accident occurred near a popular heritage site in the outskirts of Pune, exposing the neglected state of aging infrastructure in the region.

Bridge Collapse in Pune During Tourist Surge

The bridge, estimated to be over six decades old, had long been a point of passage for both locals and tourists. On Sunday, a sudden surge in foot traffic led to the Pune bridge collapse, with eyewitnesses reporting a loud cracking sound before the structure crumbled, plunging people into the shallow but rocky waters below.

“I heard a loud creak and then screams,” said a street vendor who witnessed the collapse. “Within seconds, the entire middle section of the bridge was gone.”

Rescue Efforts and Medical Response

Rescue teams were dispatched swiftly, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Pune fire brigade, and local volunteers working tirelessly through the night. As of early Monday, all injured individuals were shifted to Sassoon General Hospital and nearby private facilities.

Out of the 51 injured, at least 10 are in critical condition, while others sustained fractures, head injuries, and bruises from the fall and the resulting chaos.

What Led to the Pune Bridge Collapse?

Preliminary reports suggest that the bridge had not undergone proper maintenance or structural audits in recent years. Locals claimed they had repeatedly raised concerns about the bridge’s deteriorating condition. Unfortunately, their warnings appear to have been ignored, ultimately leading to the Pune bridge collapse.

Municipal officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the failure and have promised a thorough review of all old bridges and foot-overpasses in the city.

Public Reaction and Political Responses

The incident has sparked public outrage, with many demanding accountability from local authorities for what they see as preventable negligence. Social media erupted with calls for improved infrastructure audits and swift action against those responsible for the oversight.

Maharashtra Chief Minister expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and has announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh to the families of the victims.

Need for Infrastructure Reform

The Pune bridge collapse is not an isolated event. Across India, aging public infrastructure, including bridges, roads, and railway platforms, face similar risks due to poor maintenance and increasing usage. Experts have long called for urgent government attention to structurally unsound public utilities.

This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of infrastructural neglect and the urgent need to prioritize safety checks on all aging structures, especially those in areas with high foot traffic.

Conclusion

As Pune mourns its dead and the injured recover, the Pune bridge collapse leaves behind not just physical wreckage, but also emotional scars and questions that demand answers. The hope now is for systemic change, so that such tragic losses do not repeat.