22 August,2026 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
An aerial view of the Qureshi residence (circled, with green door), which was damaged in the crane collapse in Kurla on Friday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Muskan Qureshi, whose parents' home was squashed after a hydraulic crane fell onto high-tension railway overhead wires in Kurla East in the early hours of Friday, August 21, has alleged that the names of her parents are missing from the list of victims shared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Qureshi, an advocate, alleged that her mother received nine stitches to her head and her father had to undergo tests, but they don't figure on the civic body's list, which mentions only 10 people. "We were shocked when the list of those injured was released," she said.
She further alleged that when questioned, neither BMC nor MMDRA officials had any answers. Qureshi stated that as the family had had bad experiences at Kurla's Bhabha hospital, her parents were initially taken to a private facility. "After my mother received stitches, it was advised that she undergo a CT scan. My father also needed to undergo a few tests. After my mother was stitched, we moved my parents to Bhabha hospital in Kurla around 4 am. My mother's CT scan was, however, done only around 11 am. The results of which are awaited," she said, adding that none of the officials is saying a word about compensation, helping the family rebuild its house or providing alternate accommodation.
[popcorn number="Rs 25 lakh" desc="Penalty imposed on contractor by MMRDA" class="Default"]
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said in a statement, "The MMRDA has taken immediate steps to ensure necessary assistance to the affected persons. Medical treatment of the injured has been accorded the highest priority, and the contractor is being directed to provide the necessary financial compensation towards medical treatment and injuries, as well as to bear the cost of repair or compensation for the hutments and vehicles damaged in the incident. At the same time, MMRDA has initiated action against the contractor under the applicable contractual provisions and safety requirements, and a penalty of R25 lakh has been imposed on the contractor. Further action, if required, will be taken based on the findings of the investigation by the concerned authorities. The MMRDA remains committed to according the highest priority to public safety, ensuring appropriate assistance and compensation to those affected, and fixing accountability for any lapses in the execution of the work."
While the crane was being positioned at the site, it tilted and fell. The ground at the location was soft, which appears to have affected the stability of the crane. The falling equipment also affected nearby slum huts at Qureshi Nagar, the road at Samrat Ashok Nagar, the compound wall of an MHADA building, and three to four four-wheelers parked inside the MHADA building compound, according to preliminary information. Earlier, officials had said the incident occurred during work being carried out in connection with a proposed eviction and demolition operation at the site.
Jagrulal Khan, an electrician and daily-wage worker, said, "I am the only earning member of my family and earn only when I work. Khan suffered injuries to his head, hand and legs. Doctors have advised him to take rest for at least two months. "Two months without an income is a long time for a family that depends on my daily earnings. I just want to recover quickly and get back to work so that I can support my family," he said.
Razia Shaikh, a Kurla resident, said, "We were awoken by a loud sound. Scared, we stepped into the gallery of our home and saw a huge crane had fallen onto the Qureshi residence, which neighbours ours. Luckily, our house wasn't damaged, and none of us got hurt. My husband, children, and I were at home when the incident happened."
