Maharashtra: Bhiwandi building collapse claims 10 lives; three feared trapped under debris

The identities of two other victims are yet to be established, while the eighth body was recovered later during the rescue operation. Pic/ BNMC

At least ten people were killed after a portion of a ground-plus-four-storey building collapsed late on Thursday night in Balaji Nagar, Gangaram Wadi, Narpoli in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi. Rescue teams fear three more people may still be trapped under the debris as search operations continue.

The incident occurred between 11 pm and 11.30 pm on July 30, when the B Wing of Kohinoor Building suddenly gave way. The building had already been declared dangerous by the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) and was reportedly undergoing repair work at the time of the collapse.

Residents evacuated after hearing cracking sounds

According to officials, residents began hearing creaking and cracking noises from the building between 8 pm and 9 pm. Alarmed by the sounds, local residents helped evacuate several families to safety.

However, while some occupants were still inside and others were in the process of leaving, a portion of the B Wing collapsed, trapping multiple people beneath the rubble.

The building housed 48 rooms, with 12 rooms on each floor.

Rescue operation underway

Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Bhiwandi Fire Brigade, local police, and sniffer dog squads have been deployed to the site to carry out rescue operations.

Revenue Circle Officer Mr Bhojne, officials from Bhoiwada Police Station, former corporator Bhagwan Taware, and local residents were also present at the spot.

Authorities have deployed two ambulances and a JCB machine to assist in the rescue efforts, which continued through the night.

Eight bodies recovered

Initial reports suggested that seven to eight people had been trapped beneath the debris. By Friday morning, authorities confirmed that eight bodies had been recovered, while three more people are still feared trapped.

The bodies have been shifted to Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The deceased who have been identified so far are:

Shamim Shaikh, (32)
Ranjit Singh, (45)
Miraj Rasul Shaikh, (34)
Santosh Kumar Pandey, (42)
Shamim Ansari (30)

The identities of five other victims are yet to be established, while the 10th body was recovered later during the rescue operation.

Building had been declared unsafe

Officials said Kohinoor Building had previously been categorised as a dangerous structure by the BNMC. Despite this, repair work was underway when the collapse occurred.

Rescue teams remain at the site, using heavy machinery and specialised equipment to search for those who may still be trapped beneath the debris. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained.