24 August,2026 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MS
Mourners struggle to compose themselves as the mortal remains of Bhuleshwarcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti secretary Sanket Nevshe make their way to the Chandanwadi crematorium in Marine Lines on Sunday morning. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Some of the rescuers who helped those trapped after a 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed on Bhuleshwar Road metres away from the pandal where it was supposed to be placed on Saturday, recounted the traumatic episode, in which two volunteers - Brijesh Joshi, 30, and Sanket Nevshe, 33 - were killed, and five others were injured.
An eyewitness said on the condition of anonymity, "Several children were seated on the platform of the vehicle carrying the idol. Several others had gathered at the base. When the idol collapsed, those seated at its feet were struck." Despite the suddenness of the mishap, around 150 volunteers sprang into action.
"We just grabbed people and pulled them out. The idol was very heavy and the volunteers acted swiftly to rescue the ones trapped. Once heavy machinery and fire brigade came in, all of them were rushed to various hospitals," a volunteer said.
Bhuleshwar resident claimed, "Once the idol had toppled, we tried our level best to pull people out, but after a point we had to resort to breaking the idol to get people out and by that time the first responders were on the scene taking control of the situation."
[popcorn number="10 am" desc="Time mourners departed for crematorium on Sunday" class="Default"]
Another resident said, "When we inserted iron rods under the idol with police supervision, to lift the idol up and evacuate those trapped under it, it began to chip apart."
Elaborating about the rescue operation, Anand Patil, a local of the area said, "Amid our efforts, the first responders called for a crane to help lift the idol up so that people could be pulled out."
Though the lanes of Bhuleshwar are narrow, locals made adequate space. "I kept running from one end of the road to the other so that the crane could access the spot from both sides.
Mourners struggle to compose themselves as the mortal remains of Bhuleshwarcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti secretary Sanket Nevshe make their way to the Chandanwadi crematorium in Marine Lines on Sunday morning. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Everyone was very attentive. All the locals moved to the sides of the road to make space for the crane, creating no issues. Our community was working together to save everyone."
Patil stated that all residents were out of their homes till about 2 am. "No one went home till the whole area was cleared and the victims were taken to hospitals. A group of people went stationed themselves at these facilities to assist those who were admitted," he said,
The area was engulfed in silence on Sunday morning, as people mourned the deaths of two community volunteers and committee members of the Bhuleshwarcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti.
Sunday morning started on a sombre note, with crowds participating in the funeral processions of Joshi and Nevshe as they left from the junction near the Samiti's Ganesh pandal on Bhuleshwar Road for the Chandanwadi crematorium in Marine Lines, between 10 am and 11.30 am. Shops downed their shutters, and senior leaders of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS) attended the procession.
Naresh Dahibawkar, the president of the BSGSS, who was also in attendance, said, "We are a closely knit community across Mumbai. Many other mandals also came to pay their respects."
The police had restricted access to the entire street by parking their vehicles at each entry point. Sanket Nevshe's grieving widow was supported by other relatives as she made her way to the crematorium.
While Joshi's funeral procession preceded that of Nevshe, both were consigned to the flames together.
It was only after noon that some shops in the area opened for business. Most shops sell apparel such as shoes and jewellery. However, around the time of the Ganesh festival, shops also sell apparel and items that are also used for decorations of Ganesh pandals and household idols.
By 2 pm, all establishments were open, and by 4.30 pm, the area started bustling with shoppers, but even though they had attractive items on display, none of the shopkeepers displayed their usual exuberance, Swapnil Shinde, a shopper, pointed out.
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Anand Patil, a resident, said, "Just two minutes before the idol collapsed, Sanket was actually at the junction around the corner. He was rushing to rejoin the crowd."
Mukesh Kothari, a local social worker, said, "No one was here all day. On Saturday night, after the injured were rushed to hospitals, many of us accompanied them and sat outside the facilities. Many of these people returned at 3 or 4 am. Normalcy resumed at the spot about 1 am or so."
Members of the community began to return home around 4 pm on Sunday. "Nothing feels the same. We cannot process what has happened," said Jayesh Patel, a friend of Joshi.
>> The accident at the arrival ceremony of the Bhuleshwarcha Raja Mandal on Saturday night is unfortunate and painful.
>> The coordination committee expresses its deepest condolences to the two volunteers who died in this accident.
>> Ganeshotsav is just a few weeks away, and the Ganesh idols are still arriving at several pandals
>> In the wake of this tragedy, the Samiti has appealed to all the mandals in Mumbai to celebrate the arrival of their Ganesh idols without playing flutes or any other form of celebration, and express their condolences to the workers who died in the tragedy.
>> An urgent meeting will be organised by the Samiti regarding security arrangements and other measures to prevent such incidents in the future during the arrival and immersion ceremonies.
>> The Samiti has demanded that the government provide financial assistance to the family of the deceased and injured persons. Correspondence will be written to the government in this regard.
Around 2 pm: The 22-foot-tall idol left from Bakri Adda, Byculla West, where it was sculpted
Two-hour delay: As soon as it left Bakri Adda, it hit a speed breaker, and the welding work securing the idol to plates broke.
The procession was stopped at Bakri Adda by the Bhuleshwarcha Raja committee members. The sculptor shifted the idol, carried out repairs, and fitted the idol back onto the plates. It proceeded to Saat Rasta, Mumbai Central, Thakurdwar, and Bhuleshwar
Between 9.30 and 9.50 pm: The idol toppled forward on Bhuleshwar Road.
9.51 pm: Locals dialled the police control room number, 100
9.55 pm: The police arrived. About 150 residents attempted to move the idol. They slid iron rods under it with the help and supervision of the Mumbai Police and rescued a few people trapped under the collapsed idol.
10.15 pm: Sanket Nevshe, who headed Bhuleshwarcha Raja committee (Akhil Bhuleshwar Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal), was pulled out from beneath the idol, according to eyewitnesses.
After 11 pm: A crane arrived at Bhuleshwar to move the idol. Others who were trapped were removed and rushed to JJ Hospital, HN Reliance Hospital, and GT Hospital
12.30 am: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the Reliance Hospital in Girgaon
1 am: The area was cleared of debris
Bhuleshwar resident claimed, "Once the idol had toppled, we tried our level best to pull people out, but after a point we had to resort to breaking the idol to get people out and by that time the first responders were on the scene taking control of the situation." Another resident said, "When we inserted iron rods under the idol with police supervision, to lift the idol up and evacuate those trapped under it, it began to chip apart."
Following the incident, multiple agencies were mobilised to provide emergency assistance, including the fire brigade, Mumbai Police, Traffic Police, 108 ambulance services and BMC ward staff.
