At least 15 people lost their lives when the rear portion of an unauthorized four-storey building collapsed onto an adjacent vacant chawl in Virar region of Maharashtra.
Among the deceased were a 24-year-old woman and her one-year-old daughter, highlighting the human cost of illegal construction practices.
The building, declared illegal by the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC), crumbled at 12:05 am, trapping residents beneath layers of debris. Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and civic teams have been ongoing for over 20 hours, hampered initially by the congested location. Heavy machinery is now being deployed to expedite the clearance.
District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar confirmed that several individuals may still be trapped. Seven victims have been identified so far, and six others remain critically injured. Displaced families have been relocated to Chandansar Samajmandir and are receiving food, water, and medical aid.
The builder, Nital Gopinath Sane, has been arrested following a complaint by VVMC. Charges under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have also been filed against the landowner.
VVMC Assistant Commissioner Gilson Gonsalves stated that debris clearance is “progressing on a war footing.” The building, originally constructed between 2008 and 2009 with 54 flats and four shops, had undergone unauthorized modifications in 2012.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building regulations and accountability in urban planning.
