Mumbai: A major incident was reported in Mumbai’s Bharat Nagar area of Bandra East on Thursday morning after a portion of a Chawl structure collapsed following a suspected cylinder explosion. The collapse occurred around 7:50 AM, prompting an immediate response from emergency teams.
According to Mumbai Police, the initial investigation suggests a gas cylinder blast triggered the structural failure, causing a section of the building to give way. The impact of the explosion led to panic in the densely populated locality, with debris scattering across the area and residents rushing out of nearby homes.
So far, 12 individuals have been rescued from the rubble and rushed to the nearest civic hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. At least seven people sustained injuries, while some others are feared to be trapped under the debris. Rescue operations are ongoing as officials continue to search for survivors.
Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been deployed at the site. Personnel are using rescue tools and manual efforts to comb through the rubble, with support from local volunteers.
A forensic team has also reached the site to examine the cause of the explosion and assess the structural damage. Their findings will help determine whether the collapse was solely due to the blast or if the building had pre-existing vulnerabilities.
