Pune, Jun 15 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday said the iron bridge over the Indrayani river was rusted and prima facie it gave way as several people were standing on the structure, killing two individuals.

Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi said 38 people have been rescued so far, and 30 of them hospitalised, while six others sustained serious injuries.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Amit Shah Distributes Appointment Letters to 60,244 Newly Selected Civil Police Constables.

The collector said the exact number of people present on the bridge when it collapsed and swept away is being assessed. "We are also assessing how many people are missing," he added.

The incident occurred in the Kundamala area of Maval tehsil frequented by picnickers, officials said. They said the area has been receiving heavy rains over the last few days, sending the river into a spate.

Also Read | Ghazipur: Newlywed Bride Elopes With Lover During 'Bidaai' in Uttar Pradesh; Groom Watches Helplessly As Shocking Twist Unfolds Moments After Wedding.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawar said, "We have received various versions of the incident. As per the preliminary information, the bridge was old and rusted. Many people were standing on the bridge when it collapsed".

He said a plan for constructing a new bridge over the river was sanctioned.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said two individuals died in the incident, while a search operation is being conducted on a war footing to trace some people who were swept away.

Officials said the emergency response units, including the Pune rural police, fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and others are conducting rescue operations.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)