01 August,2026 09:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
The site of the collapse, on Friday. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Ten people were killed and at least three others injured after a portion of the four-storey Kohinoor building collapsed in Balaji Nagar, Gangaram Wadi, Bhiwandi, around 11.30 pm on Thursday. Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), the fire brigade, police, and the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation continued through Friday, with authorities searching the debris for any remaining victims.
Rescue personnel carry a body recovered from the rubble. PIC/PTI
Officials said the residential building had been classified as dangerous by the civic body and was undergoing repairs when a portion of the structure gave way. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained. However, senior officials, present during the excavation operation, told mid-day that the pillars of the building were weakening, and hence, residents were told to vacate and initiate repair works.
Rescue workers use earthmoving machinery to clear the site. PIC/PTI
A massive rescue operation was launched soon after the incident. Heavy machinery, including excavators, was deployed to clear the rubble, while rescue personnel carried out manual searches to locate those trapped beneath debris.
The Thane district administration has ordered an inquiry. Officials are examining whether the building owner, contractor, or any other persons were negligent, and whether repair work was undertaken despite the structure being declared unsafe. They are also probing whether adequate precautionary measures had been taken before repairs began.
Damaged remains at the site. PIC/PTI
Repair work on the damaged pillars of Kohinoor building was underway just minutes before the collapse, according to residents, who said they had grown increasingly anxious as cracks began appearing in the building. Videos and photographs accessed by mid-day show labourers carrying out repair work shortly before the collapse. Several occupants said they felt vibrations during the repair work, prompting some families to step out.
Officials confirmed that repair work was in progress. However, it hasn't been established whether the work contributed to the incident. The exact cause will be determined after a detailed structural assessment and the inquiry ordered by the district administration.
Residents said they heard a loud thud moments before the building began collapsing, prompting many of them to jump from their respective floors to save their lives. While most landed safely, at least three residents sustained fractures in the process.
>> Shamim Sheikh, 32
>> Ranjit Singh, 45
>> Radheshyam Kushwaha, 50
>> Miraj Rasool Sheikh, 34
>> Santosh Kumar Pandey , 42
>> Shamim Ansari, 30
>> Rakesh Paswan, 25-30
>> Mukesh Paswan, 40
>> Ashok Paswan, 45
>> Shyamji Pal, 48
Deepak Yadav, 25, who fractured his right leg
âThere was barely any time to think. It all happened within seconds. Everyone was jumping. In that state of panic, I simply followed them.'
Kohinoor building resident
âThe notices mentioned these exact pillars. Residents were asked to vacate the building before the repairs began, but not everyone left. On Thursday night, the labourers started breaking portions of the pillars when fresh cracks began appearing. Within minutes, the building gave way.'
Abhay Kumar Yadav, 26, who suffered fractures in both legs
âRepair work was going on in the building, and people were discussing it, but I was exhausted and hungry. My family and I, including my nephew Deepak, sat down for dinner. We thought we would check what was happening after we finished eating. Just as we finished dinner, the floor started shaking and making squeaking noises. We didn't think twice. We saw others jumping, so we jumped too. A fractured leg is better than dying. We won't go back there!'
Kohinoor building resident
âI had just returned home from work, and we were having dinner. We could hear the labourers carrying out the repair work. A few minutes later, we heard loud cracking sounds and people started shouting that the building was collapsing.'
11.30
Time the building collapsed on Thursday
