It was supposed to be just another evening in Pune. The rain had started falling steadily, and the usual rush of people made their way home, seeking shelter or catching up on the day’s work. But in just a few seconds, everything changed. A bridge, familiar and trusted by locals, suddenly gave way — turning a normal day into one of fear, panic, and loss.
For many who were on or near the bridge that day, the memory will stay etched in their minds forever. Among them is Ramesh Pawar, a 36-year-old labourer who was on his way home from work. He was walking with two friends when the bridge beneath them cracked, shook, and collapsed into the river below.
“We didn’t even realise what was happening,” Ramesh recalled, his voice still shaking as he spoke from his hospital bed. “One second we were walking, and the next, we were falling. It felt like the ground had disappeared under our feet.”
The bridge, which connects two busy areas of the city, had been used daily by hundreds of people. While there had been talk among locals about its aging structure and minor cracks, no one expected it to collapse so suddenly. The heavy rains that had been pouring for days may have added pressure, but the exact reason is still under investigation by the authorities.
Ramesh survived with injuries to his legs and back. Others weren’t so lucky. His two friends who were with him — Sameer and Vishal — are still missing.
“We fell on the stones and water below. It was all so fast. I remember screaming, but the sound of the water and the collapsing bridge was louder than anything,” he said. “When I opened my eyes, I saw people shouting, trying to hold onto whatever they could. Some were bleeding, others were trying to help. But some… just vanished in the water. I couldn’t find my friends.”
Emergency services rushed to the spot within minutes. Locals were already trying to pull people out from under the debris. Some were using ropes, others formed human chains to reach those stuck in the water. The spirit of community shone brightly amid the darkness of the tragedy.
Rahul Deshmukh, a shopkeeper nearby, was one of the first to respond. “I heard a loud noise like thunder,” he said. “I ran outside and saw the bridge had broken. People were screaming. I didn’t think twice — I grabbed a rope from my shop and ran towards the river.”
Rahul helped pull out two children and a woman who had been stuck between broken slabs of concrete. “One boy just kept crying for his mother. He had a small cut on his head, but he was shivering. He was in shock more than pain.”
The local hospital quickly became crowded with survivors, family members, and volunteers. Doctors worked non-stop, treating injuries ranging from fractures to head wounds. But beyond the physical injuries, the emotional scars were just as deep.
Dr. Neha Kulkarni, who attended to the victims, said, “Many of them were not just hurt — they were terrified. People kept asking about their loved ones. Some were too shocked to even speak.”
The Pune police and fire department, along with disaster response teams, continued rescue operations late into the night. Divers were brought in to search the river for those still missing. Heavy equipment was used to remove large pieces of debris. The search was difficult due to strong currents and poor visibility in the water.
As dawn broke the next morning, the full scale of the tragedy became clearer. Several bodies had been recovered, and many injured were still being treated. The local government announced compensation for the victims’ families and promised a thorough investigation into the incident.
But for people like Ramesh, no amount of money or promises can fill the hole left behind.
“We were just walking, like we always do. I still can’t believe this happened. I lost my friends — we used to walk home together every day. And now I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again,” he said, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Residents of the area gathered for a candlelight vigil in the evening. They prayed for those who had died, those who were missing, and those who survived. There were also angry voices demanding answers. Many asked why the bridge had not been repaired or checked, even though people had raised concerns before.
Sunita Joshi, a local teacher, spoke out during the gathering. “We trust that the roads and bridges we use every day are safe. But this shows that even that trust is broken. This should never have We want accountability.”
Officials have since closed off similar older structures across the city and ordered urgent inspections. Engineers are assessing the safety of these bridges, and repair work has already started in some areas. But many wonder why it takes a tragedy to get things moving.
As for Ramesh, he is still recovering, both physically and emotionally. “I keep hearing the sound of the collapse in my head. I see faces of people falling, crying. It’s not something you can forget,” he said softly.
He plans to return home once he’s better, but says he will never walk on a bridge the same way again. “I will always be afraid. That moment changed everything.”
The Pune bridge collapse is a heartbreaking reminder that sometimes, the things we take for granted can turn dangerous in the blink of an eye. It calls for not just better infrastructure but also better attention to warnings, better care for public spaces, and better responsibility from those in charge.
As the city heals, families mourn, and survivors recover, the memory of that rainy evening — when a bridge fell and lives were changed forever — will not be forgotten.