A four-storey building collapsed in Bhiwandi, Thane district, Maharashtra, on the night of 30 July, claiming at least six lives, according to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Rescue teams are continuing operations at the site amid fears that several more people remain trapped beneath the debris.

How the Collapse Unfolded

The building had begun tilting late on the night of 30 July before giving way entirely on Thursday night. Several labourers who noticed the structure shifting managed to evacuate before the full collapse. Repair work was reportedly underway in the building at the time — a factor authorities believe reduced the number of occupants inside when it came down.

Survivor Abhay Kumar Yadav recounted that there were approximately 25 to 30 people inside the building, which contained nearly 45 rooms, at the time of the collapse. He said he jumped from the first floor after finding no clear exit route and sustained a leg fracture. Local residents subsequently brought a ladder, allowing others to descend safely.

Survivor Accounts

Survivor Deepak Kumar Yadav said: 'Repair work was being carried out on the pillars of a nearby building. After dinner, we went to sleep when we suddenly heard a loud sound of the collapsing building. When we rushed out, there was chaos everywhere. I jumped from the first floor to save my life.'

Sangeeta Prajapati, who was in the parking area at the time, said she heard the structure cracking and tried to flee but sustained injuries when the building came down around her.

Neha Singh, a local resident, was searching for her husband Ranjeet Singh, who had gone downstairs roughly 10 minutes before the collapse — estimated to have occurred around 11:30 pm. 'His phone is ringing, but he is not answering,' she said.

Rescue Operation and Challenges

NDRF personnel recovered two bodies from the debris during the rescue operation and also pulled out a woman alive, shifting her to a nearby hospital where her condition is reported to be stable. According to the administration, at least three to four labourers are still feared trapped under the rubble.

Teams from both the NDRF and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) mobilised to the site, with JCB machines and other heavy equipment deployed for debris removal through the night. Officials acknowledged that darkness and the sheer volume of rubble have hampered progress, though teams remain engaged around the clock.

Context and Concerns

Bhiwandi has a long history of building collapses, many involving structures that are ageing, illegally constructed, or undergoing unregulated repair work. The fact that repair activity was reportedly in progress at the time of this collapse is likely to draw scrutiny toward construction oversight in the district. This is not the first such tragedy in the Thane belt, where rapid urbanisation and inadequate structural audits have repeatedly proved fatal.

As rescue operations continue, the full toll is expected to rise. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether all occupants have been accounted for.