Eight Killed, Several Feared Trapped as Four-Storey Building Collapses in Bhiwandi.
Thane:
At least eight people lost their lives after a four-storey residential building collapsed in Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi town late on Thursday night. Rescue teams continued operations on Friday, with officials fearing that four to five people remain trapped beneath the debris.
The incident occurred at around 11.30 pm when a portion of the Kohinoor Building, located in the Balaji Nagar area of the powerloom town in Thane district, suddenly caved in. According to Resident Deputy Collector Sandeep Mane, eight bodies have been recovered so far and sent to a government hospital for postmortem examinations.
“At least eight persons were killed. Four to five persons are believed to be still trapped under the rubble, and a search and rescue operation is underway,” Mane said.
A minor who sustained injuries in the collapse was rescued from the debris and admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Municipal officials said the building consisted of 48 residential rooms, with 12 rooms on each of its four floors. The civic body had previously declared the structure unsafe, and repair work was being carried out when the tragedy occurred.
Residents reported hearing loud cracking sounds from the building around 9 pm on Thursday, prompting fears of an imminent collapse. Alert local residents quickly began evacuating families from the building to safer locations. While many managed to escape in time, some occupants were still attempting to leave when the ‘B’ wing of the building collapsed.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately after the incident. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), the local fire brigade, and police are working round the clock to search for survivors. Rescue efforts have been supported by a dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances, and heavy earth-moving machinery to clear the debris.
Authorities said the operation remains challenging due to the unstable condition of the collapsed structure. Officials are continuing to assess the site while ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.
The latest incident has added to the growing toll of rain-related tragedies in Thane district during the ongoing monsoon season. According to officials, at least 27 people have died and 20 others have been injured in monsoon-related incidents across the district, including the Bhiwandi building collapse.
Authorities have urged residents living in dilapidated structures to vacate unsafe buildings immediately, particularly during the monsoon, to prevent similar tragedies.
