7 killed as landslide strikes residential building in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis expresses grief
Mumbai, Aug 12
At least seven people, including three children, were killed and four others injured after a massive landslide struck a residential pocket in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Wednesday following persistent heavy rains.
The tragedy occurred at around 3:48 a.m. at Gaushiya Chawl in the Ashok Nagar area of Chirag Nagar.
A portion of the adjacent hillside collapsed, dumping mud, large boulders, and debris onto two to three row houses while residents were asleep.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in an official post on social media platform X said, "The news of the accident caused by a landslide in the Sakinaka Gausia Chawl area of Ghatkopar is extremely heartbreaking. It has come to light that some people have lost their lives in this accident, and we share in the grief of their families. Due to relentless heavy rains throughout the night, a portion of the hill collapsed, causing a landslide onto houses, and some individuals got trapped under the debris. As soon as information about this incident was received, rescue teams promptly reached the site and initiated rescue operations. The injured have been immediately admitted to the hospital, and instructions have been given to provide them with the necessary treatment."
Civic authorities confirmed seven victims were brought dead to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar.
The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Samir Ansari (14), Sahil Husen Abdul Kazi (19), Aban Arif Shaikh (2), Manat Arif Shaikh (4), Marjina Arif Shaikh (27), Viket Ramesh Yadav (27), and an unidentified adult.
Four injured individuals -- Sohel Ansari (18), Mohammad Ansari (14), Naimuddhin Eqbal Khan (28), and Sajid Ansari (16) -- were rescued and admitted to Bhabha Hospital in Kurla, where officials reported their conditions as stable.
Search and rescue operations were launched immediately by teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Mumbai Police, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ward staff.
Emergency responders faced severe operational hurdles due to the topography of Chirag Nagar.
The access routes into Gaushiya Chawl are extremely narrow, allowing passage for only one person at a time, which prevented heavy earth-moving machinery from reaching the immediate collapse zone.
Rescuers had to rely on manual tools and hand-held equipment to clear concrete slabs and dirt.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the site to oversee operations and interact with affected families.
The Mayor announced an immediate financial relief package comprising Rs 4,00,000 as ex-gratia to the next of kin of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 as financial assistance toward medical treatment for each injured individual.
Municipal authorities have placed nearby hill-slope settlements on high alert as heavy rainfall continues across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is deeply tragic. Samir was just 14 years old 💔. The rescue teams working with manual tools because the lanes are too narrow shows how vulnerable these informal settlements are. As a Mumbaikar, I know these chawls are living on the edge every monsoon. We talk about Smart City Mumbai, but basic housing safety is still a luxury for so many.
Very unfortunate incident. But I must point out that developments on hill slopes have been happening unchecked for decades in Mumbai. This isn't just "nature's wrath" — it's a failure of urban planning. While the CM's response is quick, we need long-term solutions like relocating residents from high-risk zones and building retaining walls.
Deeply saddened to see this loss of life in Mumbai. My heart goes out to the families of the victims, especially the children. The situation in Ghatkopar sounds incredibly challenging for rescuers — using only hand tools in such narrow lanes. The quick response from NDRF and local authorities is commendable, but obviously, prevention is better than cure.
Why are people still living in such dangerous structures? The hillside settlements in Chirag Nagar have showed cracks before. The BMC should have acted earlier. A ₹4 lakh compensation is too little for a lost life. We keep seeing these disasters every monsoon, and it's always lower-income families who pay the price. 🙏 For the departed souls, but also let's demand action.
This is a wake-up call for Mumbai. The monsoons aren't going anywhere, and climate
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