Tourist Tragedy: Death and Injuries in Pune Bridge Collapse, India
Deadly Collapse of Indian River Bridge Yields Casualties - Disaster on a River Bridge in India: Collapse Results in Fatalities and Wounds
At least four souls are lost, more than 50 injured
Tragedy struck in a popular tourist hotspot near Pune, India, as a decrepit bridge over the Indrayani river unexpectedly collapsed on a recent Sunday, claiming the lives of at least four individuals, including a child. The incident left over 50 others injured – six critically.
The incident garnered massive attention in Indian media, with fears of drowning tourists. Witnesses reported that some were swept away by the swollen Indrayani river underneath the bridge during the catastrophic collapse. Search parties are currently out in force, seeking out the missing.
The site of this heartbreaking event drew many weekend tourists, as claimed by Indian broadcaster NDTV. According to the "India Today" newspaper, the structure had been old and in disrepair. The river beneath had surged due to the crippling monsoon rains that recently ravaged the region.
-India-Bridge Collapse-Pune-Tourist Area-New Delhi
Investigations underway
- Inquiry Committee: Following the event, the district administration has swiftly formed a five-member committee to analyze the disaster. Their mandate is to pinpoint any administrative oversights and recommend revised safety measures. The committee is to present their findings within 15 days from the incident.
- Rescue Operations: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local law enforcement have since concluded their rescue efforts – having recovered four bodies and rescued numerous survivors. One person is still unaccounted for.
- Accountability: State officials are taking responsibility for the oversight in failing to provide guards for the bridge despite clear orders being issued. They've announced intentions to penalize any police personnel allegedly lax in upholding prohibitory orders.
- Compensation & Response: In response, the Maharashtra government has set up a ₹5 lakh compensation for each family of the deceased victims, while covering medical expenses for the injured. The authorities have already granted sanctions for the construction of a new bridge and issued a work order merely days before the tragic incident – highlighting delays in addressing the bridge's dangerous condition.
The inquiry committee, formed by the district administration in Pune, is tasked with identifying administrative oversights and proposing revised safety measures for preventive measures in the future.The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has concluded their rescue efforts, recovering four bodies and saving numerous survivors from the bridge collapse, but without success in locating a single individual.*In light of the tragedy, the Maharashtra government pledges ₹5 lakh in compensation for each family of the deceased victims and medical coverage for the injured. However, the prompt order for a new bridge construction, issued just days before the incident, raises concerns about the delay in addressing the deteriorating state of the bridge infrastructure.
