At least four people died and many others were swept away after an iron bridge over the Indrayani River at a popular tourist destination near the western Indian city of Pune collapsed on Sunday, according to Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of the state of Maharashtra.
“Some people got swept away, so a search operation is underway on a war footing to find them,” he wrote on X.
Fadnavis added that six people have been rescued and 32 were injured, six of whom are in critical condition.
He also said the National Disaster Response Force has been deployed to the site and other agencies have been directed to remain on high alert.
According to local media reports, scores of tourists were on the bridge when it collapsed, sending many into the swollen river below.
The Press Trust of India reported that the incident occurred in the Kundamala area of Pune district, which has experienced heavy rainfall over the past few days, resulting in a steady flow of the river.
The news agency reported that it was not raining when the bridge collapsed in an area frequented by picnickers.
India’s infrastructure has long been tainted by safety concerns, occasionally resulting in significant catastrophes 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 of people plunging into the water. At least 132 people died.
Edited by Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
