A tragic accident unfolded in Mumbai’s Chembur on Tuesday afternoon when a large Peepal tree collapsed onto a school bus carrying students, claiming the life of an 11-year-old boy and leaving four other children injured.
The incident occurred near Road No. 11 at around 2:58 pm when the tree suddenly fell on the bus while it was transporting students from Universal High School. The impact severely damaged the vehicle, trapping some of the children inside.
Fire brigade personnel, police and other emergency teams rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation. Responders had to cut through the fallen tree to free the trapped students before they could be safely evacuated.
A total of 12 children were on board the bus at the time of the accident. Five students were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Doctors later confirmed that 11-year-old Vihan Srivastava, who had suffered severe injuries, died during treatment. The remaining four injured students were reported to be in stable condition.
The incident has sparked anger among local residents, who alleged that repeated complaints had been made to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) about the dangerous condition of trees in the area. According to residents, they had warned civic authorities that overgrown trees posed a serious threat, especially during the monsoon, but no preventive action was taken. They also claimed that a similar incident had occurred in the locality in the past.
The accident comes as Mumbai continues to experience heavy rain and gusty winds following the arrival of the southwest monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning across the city and suburbs, while a yellow alert remains in place for isolated areas.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the maintenance of roadside trees during the monsoon season and renewed questions over civic preparedness to prevent such tragedies.
