Thane building floor collapse injures three at Nutan Neelam Apartment

The section of flooring on the fifth floor of Nutan Neelam Apartment in Thane that collapsed early Tuesday

The flooring of the fifth floor in A-wing of Nutan Neelam Apartment in Thane collapsed around 3:10 am Tuesday, injuring three residents and triggering panic in the building. Authorities later inspected the structure and advised residents to vacate, calling the 40-year-old structure unsafe.

Incident snapshot

Building: Nutan Neelam Apartment, Thane
Wing: A-wing
Floor: Fifth
Time: 3.10 am
Injured: 3 residents
Status: Building declared unsafe

Repair work underway inside the affected flat on fourth floor

What happened

Residents said a section of the floor suddenly gave way while families were asleep, trapping occupants under debris.
Sandeep Yadav, who suffered finger fractures and bruises, said the collapse occurred without warning.
"I woke up to a loud crash and saw debris falling on my cousin and on my hands. Others sleeping nearby escaped by chance," he said.

Nutan Neelam Apartment in Thane, where a fifth-floor collapse injured three residents. Pics/Ritika Gondhalekar

Injuries and treatment

>> One of the injured, Pradeep, was shifted from a civic hospital to a private hospital due to serious injuries.
According to family members
>> Fractures in both legs
>> Severe abdominal injuries
>> Internal bleeding required emergency surgery, including bowel removal and repair
>> Patient is on ventilator support but stable, with multiple fractures and soft tissue injuries which will need further procedures.
>> Condition remains critical under observation.
"He is not out of danger yet," Sandeep said.

Temporary bamboo supports installed on the third floor after the collapse. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar

Residents told to leave

After inspection, authorities installed temporary bamboo supports and advised residents to vacate. "We are packing essentials and leaving. It's not safe to stay here," said resident Prathamesh Khamkar, adding that the incident has disturbed his sister during board exams.

Confusion over safety

Some residents said they were briefly moved to a nearby municipal school after the collapse, but later told they could return at their own risk. "We were given a dangerous building notice, a C2 notice, yet told we can stay if we want. We don't know what to do," said Sheetal Gaikwad.

Why residents are worried

>> Structural weakness suspected
>> Partial collapse already occurred
>> Unsure where to relocate
>> Fear of leaving homes unattended

Long-pending redevelopment

>> Residents say redevelopment discussions have dragged on for years.
>> Building age: About 40 years

Redevelopment talks

>> Ongoing for 5-6 years
>> Concrete progress: None, residents say
>> "The condition is clearly poor, but nothing has moved beyond discussions," said resident Priyam Maurya.