NEW DELHI, June 15 – At least two people were killed and 32 others injured, with several others swept away, on Sunday after a bridge collapsed in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, officials said.
The bridge over the Indrayani river collapsed at Kundmala in Pune district, about 129 km southeast of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra.
“According to preliminary information, two people were killed in this incident. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. We share the grief of their families,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in a brief statement on social media.
Authorities have rushed teams of police, health department and disaster response force personnel, including teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force, to the spot to carry out search and rescue operations.
“Six people have been rescued so far,” Fadnavis said. “Thirty-two people were injured, six of them are in critical condition. They have been admitted to the hospital for treatment.”
He said he was in constant touch with senior local government officials and police officers regarding the incident.
“All the agencies have been ordered to be on alert mode,” he said.
Kundmala is a popular tourist destination and witnesses a high footfall during monsoons.
According to officials, there were dozens of people, mostly tourists, on the bridge at the time of its collapse. Witnesses said the people fell into the swollen river, and some were swept away in the strong current of water.
Officials said the area has been experiencing heavy rains over the past few days, pushing up the water level in the river.
Reports said locals had raised concerns about the structural safety of the bridge, which was renovated four years ago. However, the people thronging the area were unaware of the potential danger.
XINHUA
