27 September,2026 12:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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Two people died after they were reportedly exposed to a strong chemical smell inside a public toilet near Mrunaltai Bridge in Ram Mandir East on Sunday, September 27. The incident was reported to civic authorities at around 8.30 am after locals noticed the suspected leak and alerted the authorities.
According to information received from the authorities, the incident took place opposite the Parsi Panchayat Gate. Initial reports indicated that two people had suffered suffocation after being exposed to the chemical smell inside the public toilet.
The two victims were identified as Prabhakar Dhanivar, 24, and Bhavin Desai, 18. Both were taken to Trauma Care Hospital for medical attention.
However, information obtained from the concerned doctor at the hospital stated that the two men had been brought to the hospital at around midnight and were declared dead at 3.49 am. The circumstances leading to their exposure to the suspected chemical substance have not yet been established.
The exact nature and source of the chemical smell are also yet to be confirmed. Authorities are expected to conduct further checks at the site to determine whether a chemical substance had leaked inside the toilet and what caused the exposure.
Following the report, several agencies were mobilised to the location. These included the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, 108 ambulance services, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and BMC ward staff.
Officials were expected to assess the site and take necessary safety measures. The presence of a suspected chemical substance inside a public facility also prompted the deployment of multiple agencies to determine the nature of the hazard and prevent further exposure.
The incident was reported to authorities by a citizen at around 8.30 am on Sunday, while an update on the situation was recorded at 10.25 am.
Further details regarding the suspected chemical leak, including the substance involved, how long it had been present inside the public toilet and the circumstances surrounding the deaths, are awaited.
Authorities are also expected to establish whether the victims were inside the toilet when they were exposed to the suspected chemical fumes and whether any other people were affected.
