Tragic Building Collapse in Bhivandi Claims Lives and Raises Safety Concerns

A devastating building collapse in Bhivandi, Maharashtra, has led to the loss of at least ten lives and left several others injured. The four-story structure, previously deemed 'dangerous' by local authorities, fell during ongoing repair work. Rescue operations lasted for 19 hours, involving multiple agencies. The incident has sparked outrage over safety regulations and the actions of property owners. Financial assistance has been announced for the victims' families, while officials are taking steps to hold those responsible accountable. This tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building safety standards in urban areas.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2026, 06:32 IST

Building Collapse in Bhivandi

In Bhivandi, Maharashtra, a four-story building that was labeled 'dangerous' by local authorities in 2020 collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least ten individuals and injuring three others, officials reported on Friday. The incident occurred around 11:20 PM on Thursday in the Kohinoor Building located in the Balaji Nagar area, approximately 50 kilometers from Mumbai.

The municipal authorities had previously classified the structure as 'dangerous' and were conducting repair work on the premises. Following the collapse, multiple agencies collaborated in a search and rescue operation that lasted for 19 hours, concluding around 7 PM. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force, and the local fire department participated in the efforts.

Rescue operations also utilized canine units. Shrikant Pardeshi, the assistant commissioner of the Bhivandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation, confirmed that ten fatalities occurred, with three additional injuries reported. He mentioned that municipal officials have reached out to the local Bhoiwada police to file a complaint against the contractor who was conducting repairs without proper authorization.

Senior Inspector Vikram Mohite of Bhoiwada police stated that the process of filing a case against the contractor is underway. An official noted that the building contained a total of 48 rooms, with 12 rooms on each floor. Residents reported hearing loud cracking noises around 9 PM on Thursday night.

Recognizing the danger, local residents quickly assisted several families in evacuating to safer locations. However, as some residents were exiting, the 'B' wing of the building suddenly collapsed. The Bhivandi-Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) had declared the building 'dangerous' back in September 2020 and issued an evacuation notice on June 5 of this year, after which electricity and water supplies were cut off. Despite this, property owners began unauthorized repair work.

Maharashtra's Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan visited the site and announced financial assistance of five lakh rupees for the families of the deceased. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his sorrow over the incident, instructing officials to file a case and take strict action against those responsible. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde noted that the collapse occurred during ongoing repair work.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences regarding the incident. Murmu posted on social media, stating, 'The news of the building collapse in Bhivandi, Maharashtra, resulting in loss of life is extremely tragic. I extend my condolences to the grieving families. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.'

Prime Minister Modi also expressed deep sorrow over the incident, announcing a compensation of two lakh rupees for the families of the deceased and fifty thousand rupees for the injured. He shared on social media, 'I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of life due to the building collapse in Thane, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the bereaved families during this difficult time. I wish for the quick recovery of the injured.'

One woman who survived the disaster, struggling to hold back tears, thanked God for saving her from 'the jaws of death.' She recounted being trapped in mud and debris, with her parents calling her name just a few feet away. 'I was screaming with all my might, but my voice was drowned out by the rubble,' she said. 'I remained trapped in the mud for hours before the rescue team found me alive.'

She alleged that despite repeated warnings from residents, the building's repairs were not conducted properly. 'We warned them not to carry out repairs this way, but they ignored us, and this horrific incident occurred,' she lamented. Another woman, holding her child close, looked in disbelief at the site where her second-floor home once stood.

She shared, 'My husband, our two daughters, and I lived on the second floor. When cracks began to appear in our part of the building, a neighbor invited us to stay with them. That one decision saved our lives. Otherwise, we would have been buried alive under this concrete mountain. We've lost everything—our home, our belongings. Our entire life has been shattered.'

Many families affected by the collapse now have nothing left but the clothes on their backs. Authorities reported that five of the deceased have been identified as Shameem Sheikh (32), Ranjit Singh (45), Miraj Rasool Sheikh (34), Santosh Kumar Pandey (42), and Shameem Ansari (30). Chief Minister Fadnavis stated, 'The building collapse in Bhivandi, which claimed many lives, is extremely tragic. The municipal commissioner has been instructed to file a case and take strict action against those responsible.'

The Bhivandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) issued a statement confirming that the building had been declared dangerous and that a notice was first issued to property owners on September 7, 2020, to present a structural audit report. A reminder notice was sent on April 22, 2022, due to ongoing non-compliance with regulations. Following continued violations, the municipal body issued an evacuation notice on June 5, 2026, cutting off electricity and water supplies and evacuating families.

However, according to the municipal body, property owners illegally commenced structural repairs. On July 30, 2026, a team led by the assistant municipal commissioner inspected the site and found severe structural instability in the building. The team promptly evacuated around 40 residents and workers present at the site.

The municipal corporation stated that the contractor and workers were instructed to cease repair work immediately, but they disregarded the orders. Additionally, some residents refused to leave the building. Bhivandi Mayor Narayan Chaudhary stated on Friday, 'There are at least 130 to 140 buildings in Bhivandi that have been declared 'extremely dangerous' and need to be evacuated immediately.'