Navi Mumbai Building Collapse: NDRF Recovers One Body, 50 Rescued; One Remains Trapped

In a tragic incident early Saturday morning, a four-storey building in Shahbaz village, Belapur, collapsed, resulting in one death, another person feared trapped, and two others injured. The structure, approximately 15 years old, had an unauthorised additional floor, as reported by civic officials.

Deputy Fire Officer Purushottam Jadhav confirmed that two individuals have been rescued so far. One body has been recovered. Rescue operations are ongoing as the NDRF continues to search for any additional victims.

Photo Credit: ANI X

"We received a call about a building collapse at 4.50 am. Two people have been rescued. Two people are likely to be trapped and a rescue operation is underway to rescue them," Jadhav told ANI.

The rescue operations are being led by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, with Commissioner Kailas Shinde overseeing the efforts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed to aid in the rescue mission.

"The building collapsed around 5 am. It is a G+3 building. Two people have been rescued and two are likely trapped. The NDRF team is here, rescue operations are underway," Shinde reported.

Residents had reported concerns about the building's safety as early as 1 am. Hindustan Times quotes Satish Gaun, an occupant saying, "Two days ago, neighbours mentioned that columns of the building had begun cracking. We hoped the building wouldn't collapse, as many residents are not well-off. However, from 1 am onwards, there were repeated sounds of cracking walls, and parts of the building began to fall apart. Fearing the building's collapse, most residents started to leave their flats gradually."

Mumbai Rains May Be The Culprit

This unfortunate event comes in the midst of relentless monsoon rains that have been battering the Mumbai metropolitan area, including Navi Mumbai. The continuous heavy rainfall has significantly impacted the region, exacerbating vulnerabilities in older and poorly maintained structures.

Mumbai and its surrounding areas have been experiencing severe weather conditions over the past week. The monsoon has brought heavy downpours, with the city recording significant rainfall each day. On July 26, Mumbai witnessed heavy showers, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas and disrupting daily life. The relentless rain continued into the weekend, compounding the challenges faced by residents and emergency services alike.

Similar Past Incidents

The incessant rainfall has not only caused flooding but also weakened the structural integrity of buildings. Earlier this week, on July 20, a part of the balcony of Rubina Manzil in the Grant Road area of Mumbai collapsed. This incident, which occurred around 11 am near the Grant Road Railway Station, resulted in the death of one person and injuries to 13 others.

The persistent downpour has raised concerns about the safety of older buildings in the region. The Navi Mumbai collapse is a stark reminder of the risks posed by the monsoon to the city's infrastructure.