6 Killed As Building Collapses Onto Shanties In Mumbai’s Mankhurd Amid Heavy Rain

Mumbai: At least 6 people died in Mumbai on Sunday evening after parts of a 3-storey building collapsed and fell onto shanties in Mankhurd's Janata Nagar amid heavy rains. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed the incident, saying that the collapse occurred at around 8.30 pm in an area that has been lashed by relentless rainfall over the past few days, adding to the misery in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.

According to Mumbai Police, a neighbouring building crashed onto a hut within the jurisdiction of Mandala Police Station in Mankhurd, trapping several residents under rubble. The emergency teams were rushed to the spot and began pulling people out as rain continued to fall. Reports suggested that a team of NDRF has been deployed at the site, amidst ongoing rescue operations at the site.

The opposition leaders have raised the issue of unauthorised construction in the city, questioning how such structures continue to come up despite repeated government assurances. In the meantime, Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the injured in hospital later in the night to meet grieving families.

Rescue Operation Continues In Difficult Conditions

NDRF Assistant Commandant Sarang Kurve stated that the force was alerted by the BMC control room at 9.30 pm, saying, “Our Andheri team arrived within about 35 minutes, and our Kurla team reached the site in roughly 20 to 25 minutes……There is no one injured here right now. All six victims have been extradited and have been admitted to the nearby hospital.”

He added that about 45 rescuers were on site and working non-stop. “The structure is complex, and the weather conditions were working against us; however, our rescuers are well-trained to handle such situations, and we are continuously working to complete the operation.” The district administration confirmed that the search was still ongoing for at least one more person believed to be trapped.

Maharashtra AIMIM General Secretary Ateeque Ahmad Khan, who was at the site, gave a grim account. “The incident occurred around 8 or 8.30 pm. A three-story building--which had been constructed just last year--collapsed onto three adjacent houses. Five children and one woman from the same family were trapped underneath; they have been rescued.”

Khan said that the condition of those pulled out was critical, claiming, “In total, six people have been pulled out, though their condition is critical. There are reports suggesting that some individuals may have already lost their lives. A search is currently underway for one more girl... Additionally, it is suspected that the building's owner is also buried under the debris. A total of six people have been taken away, and a search for a seventh person is in progress.”

Political Leaders Question Illegal Construction

The collapse drew sharp reactions from opposition leaders who blamed civic apathy for the growing number of unsafe dwellings. Maharashtra Samajwadi Party President Abu Azmi targeted the state and civic administration over alleged unchecked encroachment.

“How did shanties continue to spring up? The year 2000 arrived, and those built by then were legalised; later, those built up to 2011 were also legalised. This implies that illegal shanties kept coming up after 1995,” Azmi said. 

“These are poor people; when they feel their family has grown and they lack the funds for proper housing, they build illegally. However, had the government been strict, not even an inch of unauthorised construction would have been possible. The government itself had declared that no shanties would be built after 1995. So, whose responsibility is it that they were built? How many officials have you suspended? I am urging the House to put a stop to these illegal activities,” he added.

Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the hospital where the victims were admitted to console the families. The rescue work was continuing late into the night as teams tried to clear the debris, with the officials citing the rain-soaked ground and unstable adjacent structures as major challenges.

Further details regarding the building collapse in Mumbai are awaited.