Six rescued after building collapses in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad
Pune, July 8
The National Disaster Response Force said it has rescued six people from the collapsed structure in the Moshi area of Pimpri Chinchwad, where a waste mound collapsed onto a three-storey building following heavy rainfall.
Rescue operations are underway and no casualties have been reported.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought details from the Police Commissioner regarding the building collapse.
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner, Vijay Suryawanshi, said Municipal Corporation's waste-to-energy plant in Moshi had a massive mound of waste, known as an SLF (Sanitary Landfill), located about 30 meters away from the plant's three-story administrative building.
"Following heavy rainfall of more than 400 mm over the past two or three days, the waste mound collapsed, much like a landslide, and fell onto the building. Around twenty people were inside the building at the time. Four of them managed to walk out on their own. Around fifteen people remain trapped inside; however, contact has been established with them," he said.
"Our fire brigade personnel are communicating with them and making every effort to rescue them. The NDRF has arrived at the site. Our fire brigade team is already conducting rescue operations, and an Army team is also on its way. There are no reported fatalities or injuries at present," he added.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Mayor Ravi Landge said the city has witnessed heavy rains.
"Due to the heavy rains 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. 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," Landge told ANI.
Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey said rescue operations are underway to bring out stranded people.
He said an Army contingent is also reaching the area.
"About 15 to 16 people on the first floor are currently stranded, and rescue operations are underway to evacuate them. The NDRF has already arrived, and the fire brigade and police have been present from the start; an Army contingent is also on its way. No casualties have been reported," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Thank God no casualties reported so far! 🙏 Can't imagine how terrifying it must have been for those trapped inside. Heavy rains of 400mm in a few days is no joke in Maharashtra. Hope all 15 rescued safely and quickly.
Waste-to-energy plants are important for sustainable development, but this is a serious safety lapse. An SLF mound just 30 meters away from an office building? That's a disaster waiting to happen even without heavy rain. The municipal commissioner needs to ensure stricter regulations and structural audits for all such facilities.
So many people eating lunch when it happened – reminds us how life can change in seconds. Incredible teamwork by police, NDRF, fire brigade, and Army! But while we celebrate the rescue, let's also ask: who gave permission to build so close to a waste mound? Accountability needed.
The fact that Four people walked out themselves shows they had some presence of mind. But this building collapse in Moshi is a stark reminder of how climate change is making rains more unpredictable. 400mm in 2-3 days is extreme! Hope everyone trapped is patient and safe.
This is what happens when waste management is treated as an afterthought. An SLF mound shouldn't be towering near any building. And where's the municipal corporation's role in disaster preparedness? Good that Fadnavis ji is seeking details, but we need preemptive action not just inquiries after the event.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.