Maharashtra: 15 feared trapped as building collapses near Pune amid heavy rain
Authorities said efforts are underway to clear the rubble using heavy machinery while emergency responders are attempting to reach those trapped.
At least 15 people are feared trapped after a building collapsed in Maharashtra's Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune district on Wednesday, an ANI report said, citing officials.
The incident occurred amid relentless rainfall that has battered Pune and neighbouring regions over the past several days. Rescue teams, including fire brigade personnel and disaster response units, have rushed to the spot and launched an operation to search for those feared trapped under the debris. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained.
Authorities said efforts are underway to clear the rubble using heavy machinery while emergency responders are attempting to reach those trapped. Officials are yet to confirm the number of casualties or injuries, and further details are awaited as the rescue operation continues.
Talking about the incident, the Mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Ravi Landge, said, "Due to the heavy rainfall across the city, water levels have risen significantly. This caused a mass of accumulated garbage debris to collapse onto an office building, bringing down a concrete slab. Sixteen office staff members were eating there at the time; two managed to get out, and rescue operations are currently underway for the others. No, there have been no deaths; everyone is safe. The fire brigade, NDRF team, police, and the health and environment departments are working together to bring them out.
The collapse comes as Maharashtra grapples with an intense monsoon spell that has triggered widespread flooding, waterlogging and structural damage across several districts. Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad have witnessed incessant rain over the past week, forcing the evacuation of more than 6,000 residents from flood-hit localities. Schools and colleges have remained shut in parts of Pune after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert, warning of continued heavy rainfall. The district has already recorded more than its average monthly rainfall within the first week of July, while multiple rain-related incidents, including landslides and wall collapses, have claimed several lives.
The latest incident also comes just days after a three-storey residential structure collapsed in Mumbai's Mankhurd area during heavy rain, killing six people, including five children. Mumbai has been reeling from one of its most intense monsoon spells in recent years, with record-breaking rainfall leading to severe waterlogging, disruptions to transport services, and multiple rain-related fatalities across the city.
DEVENDRA FADNAVIS SOUGHT DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also sought details from the Police Commissioner about the incident after the structure broke down.
"Around 15–16 people are trapped, but all are reported to be safe. Teams from the NDRF, the Army, Police, and Fire Brigade are at the site. Rescue operations are underway on a war footing. The Chief Minister is closely monitoring the situation," said Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey.
At least 15 people are feared trapped after a building collapsed in Maharashtra's Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune district on Wednesday, an ANI report said, citing officials.
The incident occurred amid relentless rainfall that has battered Pune and neighbouring regions over the past several days. Rescue teams, including fire brigade personnel and disaster response units, have rushed to the spot and launched an operation to search for those feared trapped under the debris. The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained.
Authorities said efforts are underway to clear the rubble using heavy machinery while emergency responders are attempting to reach those trapped. Officials are yet to confirm the number of casualties or injuries, and further details are awaited as the rescue operation continues.
Talking about the incident, the Mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Ravi Landge, said, "Due to the heavy rainfall across the city, water levels have risen significantly. This caused a mass of accumulated garbage debris to collapse onto an office building, bringing down a concrete slab. Sixteen office staff members were eating there at the time; two managed to get out, and rescue operations are currently underway for the others. No, there have been no deaths; everyone is safe. The fire brigade, NDRF team, police, and the health and environment departments are working together to bring them out.
The collapse comes as Maharashtra grapples with an intense monsoon spell that has triggered widespread flooding, waterlogging and structural damage across several districts. Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad have witnessed incessant rain over the past week, forcing the evacuation of more than 6,000 residents from flood-hit localities. Schools and colleges have remained shut in parts of Pune after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert, warning of continued heavy rainfall. The district has already recorded more than its average monthly rainfall within the first week of July, while multiple rain-related incidents, including landslides and wall collapses, have claimed several lives.
The latest incident also comes just days after a three-storey residential structure collapsed in Mumbai's Mankhurd area during heavy rain, killing six people, including five children. Mumbai has been reeling from one of its most intense monsoon spells in recent years, with record-breaking rainfall leading to severe waterlogging, disruptions to transport services, and multiple rain-related fatalities across the city.
DEVENDRA FADNAVIS SOUGHT DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also sought details from the Police Commissioner about the incident after the structure broke down.
"Around 15–16 people are trapped, but all are reported to be safe. Teams from the NDRF, the Army, Police, and Fire Brigade are at the site. Rescue operations are underway on a war footing. The Chief Minister is closely monitoring the situation," said Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey.
