08 August,2026 12:13 AM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondent
The sudden structural failure prompted residents and authorities to act quickly. Representational Pic/File
Around 250 residents were rescued from a four-storey building in Nalasopara in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Saturday after portions of the structure collapsed, triggering a major evacuation operation, reported the PTI.
No injuries were reported in the incident, which took place at around 12.30 pm at Roshni Apartments in the Achole area, officials said.
The 10-year-old building has 56 flats.
According to a fire brigade official, the incident began when a section of a balcony on the second floor gave way and fell onto the first floor.
The impact reportedly caused the first floor to collapse under the additional weight, with debris then falling towards the ground floor.
The sudden structural failure prompted residents and authorities to act quickly.
After receiving information about the collapse, fire brigade personnel, officials from the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) and local police rushed to the spot.
Rescue teams immediately began evacuating people from the building.
Around 250 residents, including a large number of women, children and elderly people, were brought to safety. Most male residents were reportedly away at work when the incident occurred.
Officials said the swift evacuation helped prevent what could have been a major tragedy.
The remaining part of the building is reportedly in a precarious condition.
Authorities have sealed the entire structure as a precautionary measure.
Civic officials will inspect the building before deciding whether it should be demolished or whether stabilisation work can be carried out.
The authorities are also assessing nearby structures and investigating the exact cause of the structural failure.
The families forced to leave their homes have been moved to temporary relief camps.
A local leader said food and essential supplies were being provided to the displaced residents by the ruling Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA).
Officials said further assessment of the building and surrounding structures is under way.
The incident comes weeks after a building collapse in Bhiwandi in neighbouring Thane district.
Ten people were killed when a four-storey building, which had been classified as structurally unsafe, collapsed during repair work.
The latest incident in Nalasopara has once again raised concerns about the structural safety of buildings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
(with PTI inputs)
