July 18, 2025: A section of a ground-plus-three-storey chawl structure at Chawl No. 37, Bharat Nagar, BKC, near Namaj Committee Masjid in Bandra East, collapsed early Friday morning, triggering a swift response from emergency services. The incident occurred at approximately 5:56 a.m., when the second and third floors of the building caved in, with between eight and ten individuals feared trapped beneath the debris.
Emergency response teams from multiple agencies, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB – Level II), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Police, MHADA, Public Works Department (PWD), and Adani’s disaster response unit, were promptly mobilised to the site.
According to BMC officials, key firefighting and rescue personnel are on location, including two Additional Divisional Fire Officers (ADFOs), five Senior Station Officers (SrSOs), one Station Officer (SO), five fire engines, and various specialist units such as the Major Water Tender (MWT), Combined Fire Fighting (CFF), Foam Tender (FT), Rescue Van (RV), and Water Quick Response Vehicle (WQRV). Ambulances from the 108 emergency medical service are also on standby.
The on-duty Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Bandra Bhabha Hospital confirmed that seven individuals have sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment. Their condition is being closely monitored by hospital staff.
As of now, rescue operations are ongoing, with efforts focused on locating and extracting any remaining persons potentially trapped under the collapsed sections. Authorities have cordoned off the area and are urging residents to avoid the vicinity to facilitate uninterrupted emergency access. Further updates are awaited as officials continue to assess the structural damage and determine the cause of the collapse.
Source: The Hindu
