10 July,2026 08:33 AM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Teams are removing debris surrounding the structure and stabilising its dangerously tilted sections. Pic/ Special Arrangement
Rescue agencies continued intensive operations late into Thursday night at the Moshi garbage dump collapse site, where an estimated eight people are believed to be trapped inside the damaged Waste-to-Energy project building.
Teams are removing debris surrounding the structure and stabilising its dangerously tilted sections before making a safe entry into the building.
The operation is focused on creating a secure access corridor for rescue personnel to enter the partially collapsed structure without triggering further structural failure. Officials said the building's unstable condition has made direct entry extremely risky, necessitating a carefully planned debris removal and stabilisation exercise before search teams can move inside.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryawanshi visited the disaster site on Thursday evening and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation. He held detailed discussions with senior officers of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, the PCMC Fire Department, PMRDA Fire Brigade, police, and other emergency response agencies regarding the progress of the operation, available manpower, heavy machinery, technical equipment, and the next phase of the rescue mission.
The Commissioner directed all agencies to maintain close coordination and ensure that every possible measure is taken to carry out the rescue operation swiftly while prioritising the safety of both trapped individuals and rescue personnel. He instructed officials to leave no stone unturned in locating and rescuing those still feared trapped beneath the debris.
Among those present during the review were Indian Army Colonel R.K. Tiwari, NDRF Second-in-Command Deepak Tiwari, Additional Municipal Commissioner Vikrant Bagade, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shweta Khedkar, along with senior civic and emergency officials.
Explaining the challenges facing rescue teams, NDRF Second-in-Command Deepak Tiwari said entering the damaged building remains extremely difficult due to its unstable condition. To address this, rescue personnel are first removing debris piled around the structure while simultaneously working to secure and stabilise its dangerously weakened sections.
He said the operation has been planned in a coordinated manner to enable rescuers to safely enter the building, reach those trapped inside, and evacuate them without exposing either the victims or rescue teams to additional danger.
"Our objective is to establish safe access to the trapped persons and bring them out safely," he said.
Late on Thursday night, three JCB excavators, a Poclain machine, and several dumpers continued clearing massive quantities of debris from around the collapsed structure to facilitate the next phase of the rescue operation.
Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryawanshi said the administration is closely monitoring every development at the disaster site and has made all necessary equipment and resources available for the rescue mission.
He said the operation remains challenging because the building has tilted to one side and a portion of its structure has already collapsed.
Once the debris is cleared and the unstable sections are secured, a safe route will be created for rescue personnel to enter the building and evacuate the trapped individuals.
Expressing confidence in the ongoing efforts, the Commissioner said the NDRF, Indian Army, PCMC and PMRDA fire services, police, and the Disaster Management Department have jointly prepared a rescue strategy after assessing the site's structural condition, geographical constraints, and technical challenges.
He added that all agencies remain hopeful that those trapped beneath the debris will be rescued safely.
