Four people were killed and 51 others were injured when an old narrow bridge over the Indrayani river near Talegaon in Pune district of Maharashtra died on Sunday afternoon.
The dead include Chandrakant Salve, Rohit Mane and Vihaan Mane, while the fourth has not been identified.
Talking to ANI, District Collector Jitendra Doody said, “A total of 51 people are injured and have been admitted to various hospitals for treatment, and four persons have died. Three have been identified as Chandrakant Salve, Rohit Mane and Vihaan Mane and had a man, but he could not be identified.”
He said, “The incident took place at 3:15 pm and we came to know about it at 3:30 pm. A team of about 250 people immediately came here. The rescue operation started and so far we have saved about 38 people.”
Doody confirmed that the search operation was on. He told ANI, “We asked people if their relatives are unknown, and two such people are unknown. The search operation is going on. This campaign will continue until we identify all people and save them.”
He also acknowledged the previous warning about the danger, saying, “We had issued advice and warnings for all places that are dangerous for tourists, and it was a similar place, but unfortunately, the number of tourists increased a lot. By moving forward, we will form a team and investigate the incident, and if the administration is found guilty, I will ensure that action is also taken against them.”
On the medical front, seven patients have been admitted to the ICU of Atharva Hospital. Doody said, “According to doctors, six patients are out of danger, but a patient, who was found late, is in critical condition, but his condition is still stable.”
Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil and District Collector Jitendra Doody visited the Civil Hospital and met the injured and seriously ill people.
Reacting to this tragedy, NCP-SCP MLA Rohit Pawar said, “This incident is very unfortunate. When this incident happened, local youths rescued about 20-25 people; NDRF and police also saved the people. The bridge was quite old and discussed about its renovation, but unfortunately this could not happen.”
He told ANI, “There are many bridges in the whole of Maharashtra which are old, some are 100 years old, are of colonial times and their position is also dilapidated.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey strongly criticized the officials. He said, “This incident is very unfortunate. When the bridge was weak, why did the authorities not impose barricades? Why the security of the tourists was not tightened? All the high officials responsible for the maintenance of this bridge should be arrested and punished.”
Dubey further claimed that the fund was allotted but never used. “A fund of Rs 8 crore was also allocated for the bridge, but remained limited to paper. Given Pune’s poor situation, people cannot travel as a tourist?
As part of the search and rescue operation, the agency was stopped from going out of the river and the collapsed part of the bridge was removed from the river. Further investigation of the collapse is still going on.
