18 July,2026 09:29 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Several vehicles were damaged due to the crane collapse in JK Iris on Thursday. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
What residents described as a disaster waiting to happen finally unfolded on Thursday evening when a massive crane installed at JP Infra's under-construction multi-level car parking project suddenly snapped and crashed into the premises of the neighbouring JK Iris residential complex in Kashigaon, Mira Road East. The accident claimed the life of a 21-year-old, left two others including the crane operator injured, and reduced several parked vehicles to twisted metal.
According to information gathered by mid-day, the accident occurred between 7.30 pm and 8 pm. JP Infra is constructing a multi-level parking building adjacent to JK Iris, with the crane installed on the 11th floor. The crane suddenly collapsed, with a large portion crashing into the residential complex.
Fire brigade and rescue personnel work at the site on Thursday
Every evening, around 20-25 senior citizens, women, and children gather outside the Hanuman temple inside the society premises for the daily aarti. The crane crashed barely a few metres away from the temple. On Thursday, heavy rain kept most devotees indoors, while many others had left to participate in the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha. "Had it been a regular evening, dozens of people would have been standing exactly where the crane fell," residents said.
Muzammil Kholkar, 21, was sitting in the society premises, where he often spent his evenings. Tragically, a portion of the falling crane landed directly on him, causing fatal injuries. Residents rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The accident also left the crane operator seriously injured, while a senior citizen suffered minor injuries. Several cars and motorcycles parked inside the society were extensively damaged.
The crane fell inside the JK Iris premises, close to where people would gather for daily puja
Family members said Muzammil had recently completed his graduation and was pursuing a computer course. His father, a Bollywood stuntman and action director, was scheduled to leave for Kashmir on Friday for the shooting of the series â108 Base Hospital - Uri'.
Muzammil's father, who was attending a meeting in Borivli when he received a phone call saying his son had met with an accident, said he initially thought it would be a minor bike accident. "But when I reached the spot, I found my son dead beneath the collapsed crane. We repeatedly warned authorities before the tragedy. For a long time, we feared something like this would happen, but nobody paid attention. Today's tragedy could have been prevented. Those responsible ignored every warning," he alleged.
The family has demanded that the owners of JP Infra be booked, alleging that the accident was the result of negligence. "The police are only talking about taking action against the contractor and the site supervisor. But the main responsibility lies with the builder. The owner of JP Infra should also be named as an accused. I have learnt that the owner is very close to a senior minister. Perhaps that is why the police are reluctant to register an FIR against him," Muzammil's father alleged.
The tragedy has also raised questions over the police response. Hours after the fatal accident, police had registered only an Accidental Death Report (ADR), prompting the victim's family to demand the registration of an FIR against the builder. When contacted, DCP Rahul Chauhan told mid-day, "Our preliminary inquiry has revealed that JP Infra had awarded the construction contract to one agency, which in turn subcontracted the work to another party. The investigation is underway. Whoever is found responsible, even if it is the owner, appropriate legal action will be taken"
July 16
Day the crane collapsed
