A devastating collapse of a four-storey building in Shahbaz village, Belapur, has resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to two others. The incident occurred around 4:20 am on Saturday, leading to the evacuation of two adjacent buildings as a precautionary measure.
The ill-fated building, which was approximately 15 years old, had been previously flagged for safety violations. According to civic officials, the structure had an unauthorized additional floor, contributing to its instability. The Navi Mumbai Metropolitan Corporation had issued a notice to the occupants in 2011, highlighting the presence of the illegal floor.
Residents reported signs of distress in the building well before the collapse. Satish Gaun, one of the residents, shared, “Two days ago, neighbors mentioned that columns of the building had begun cracking. We hoped it wouldn’t collapse, but from 1 am onwards, there were repeated sounds of walls cracking and portions falling apart. Most of us started leaving the flats gradually, fearing the worst.”
Emergency services responded swiftly, with multiple teams from Vashi, CBD, and Nerul fire stations mobilized for rescue operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also joined the effort. Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde confirmed that a total of 52 people, including 13 children, were rescued from the building. However, two individuals who were present at the time of the collapse are still unaccounted for.
The building was originally authorized to be a ground plus three storeys structure, but the additional unauthorized floor significantly compromised its safety. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is currently investigating the incident, with plans to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the building’s developer.
Officials revealed that a notice regarding the illegal construction was issued in 2015, and there is ongoing scrutiny to determine the building’s legality within the gaothan region. A case is also being registered with the NRI police in connection with the incident.
Sources By Agencies
