Pimpri-Chinchwad | In a tragic incident on Sunday (June 15), four tourists lost their lives when an old iron bridge collapsed at Kundmala in Maval taluka. However, due to the rapid response by district authorities and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with local police, Shivdurg organization, disaster response teams, and the help of local citizens, 51 tourists were successfully rescued from the site.
Upon receiving information about the incident, 25 ambulances were deployed to the location. Local public representatives arrived promptly and arranged for hydra machines to assist in the operation. All teams worked together in a coordinated manner, and local citizens also contributed by helping extract the injured. Approximately 250 volunteers were actively involved in the rescue operation.
The first priority was given to saving those who were still alive. The injured were admitted to Talegaon Rural Hospital, Atharva Hospital, Pavana Hospital, Unique Hospital, and Bade Hospital. So far, 35 injured individuals have been treated and discharged, while 11 are still receiving treatment in hospitals, according to the administration.
Those in need of intensive care were immediately shifted to ICUs. Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan personally visited the hospital last night, inquired about the ICU patients, and instructed doctors to provide proper treatment.
At the incident site in Kundmala, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly Anna Bansode, and MLA Sunil Shelke visited and reviewed the situation. They gave immediate instructions to all relevant agencies to provide assistance. Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, and Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil were also present at the site.
Since yesterday, a Disaster Management Control Room has been operational at the Tehsil Office. No complaints of missing tourists had been received by Sunday evening, so the rescue operation was officially concluded at 6 PM, informed Sub-Divisional Officer of Maval, Surendra Navale.
Today’s search operation also saw participation from the Wildlife Organization, Disaster Mitra, and disaster management teams from Roha and Mahad.
Also present during the operations were Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Gaikwad, Bapu Bangar, Tahsildar Vikram Deshmukh, Naib Tahsildar Ganesh Talekar, Avinash Pisal, and Police Inspector Ranjit Jadhav.
