A major crane accident in Mumbai’s Kurla area left 10 people injured early Friday after part of a hydraulic crane collapsed in Qureshi Nagar. A three-month-old baby was among those hurt in the incident.
The accident happened in a densely populated area and triggered a large rescue operation involving emergency services. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said all 10 injured people are stable and receiving treatment.
Crane Collapses During Construction Work
According to the BMC Disaster Management Cell, the hydraulic crane was being used to lift a poclain machine to the upper section of a ground-plus-17-storey building that was under construction.
Demolition work was being carried out at the site by M/s Sunny Company when part of the crane collapsed. The machinery fell towards the surrounding residential area, damaging several structures and vehicles.
The crane hit slum huts in Qureshi Nagar and affected a road in Samrat Ashok Nagar. It also damaged the compound wall of an MHADA building and three to four vehicles parked inside the premises.
The machinery also came into contact with high-tension railway overhead wires.
Eight Injured Taken To Sion Hospital
Eight of the injured were shifted to Sion Hospital. They include 63-year-old Jagrulla Nabi Moh. Khan, three-month-old Ahemed Niyaz Ahemed, 60-year-old Atikur Reman, 36-year-old Hakum Sheikh, 21-year-old Numan Khan, 19-year-old Rehman Khan, 10-year-old Suraj Gaur and 40-year-old Akbar.
Doctors said all eight patients were stable.
Two other injured people, 35-year-old Raju Gaud and 30-year-old Aarti Gaud, were taken to Kurla Bhabha Hospital. Both were also reported to be stable.
Rescue Operation Underway
Fire brigade teams, police personnel and other emergency responders reached the site after the crane collapsed. Rescue workers assessed the affected structures and worked to secure the area.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) also deployed machinery and manpower to assist with removing the fallen crane.
Soft Ground May Have Caused Crane To Tilt
The MMRDA said the crane had been brought to the site for demolition work but had not yet started operations.
The authority said the crane was being positioned when it tilted and fell towards the nearby construction area. A preliminary assessment indicated that the soft and muddy ground may have affected the stability of the heavy machinery.
The collapse also affected overhead electrical equipment on the Kurla-Trombay goods line. Central Railway said passenger train services were not disrupted.
Authorities are continuing to assess the site and determine the circumstances that led to the crane collapse.
