A four-storey residential building in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, collapsed late Thursday night, claiming the lives of at least nine people and injuring several others. Rescue teams are currently engaged in a desperate search for survivors believed to be trapped under the debris.
The incident occurred around 11:30 PM when a section of the Kohinoor Building in Balaji Nagar, Thane district, suddenly gave way. This triggered a large-scale rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), local fire brigades, police, and civic authorities.
Building Declared Dangerous, Repairs Underway
Officials confirmed that the Kohinoor Building, which contained 48 rooms spread across four floors, had previously been declared a dangerous structure by the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNCMC). Reports indicate that repair work was in progress at the time of the collapse. Authorities estimate that six to seven individuals might still be trapped, and the death toll could increase as operations continue.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed profound grief over the tragedy. He has instructed the Municipal Commissioner to immediately register an FIR and initiate strict action against all those found responsible. "Immediate FIR registration in this matter and strict action against the guilty have been ordered... Treatment is being provided to the injured," Fadnavis stated in a social media post.
Survivors Recount Horrific Moments
Residents living nearby reported hearing loud cracking sounds around 9:00 PM, approximately two hours before the collapse. Sensing imminent danger, many locals began assisting families in evacuating the structure. Despite these efforts, several residents and workers remained inside when the building's 'B' wing gave way.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Arvind Ghogare confirmed that civic officials rushed to the site after receiving complaints about cracks. "When we reached, we saw that the building was cracking up. We went inside with our team and evacuated the residents," Ghogare recounted, noting that the building collapsed moments after the evacuation of some occupants. Tragically, some workers involved in the repair efforts could not be evacuated in time.
Deepak Kumar Yadav, a survivor who managed to escape by jumping from the first floor, described the scene of panic: "After dinner, we went to sleep when we suddenly heard a loud sound. When we rushed out, there was chaos everywhere. I jumped from the first floor to save my life." Another survivor, Sangeeta Prajapati, recalled, "I heard the sound of the building cracking. I tried to run, but the structure collapsed while I was fleeing."
Rescue teams are utilizing heavy earth-moving machinery, sniffer dogs, ambulances, and fire engines in their efforts to clear the debris and locate survivors. Several individuals, including an injured minor, have already been pulled from the rubble and transported to hospitals for treatment.