3 killed, 2 injured after ‘unauthorised’ building collapses in Navi Mumbai

Of the five people who were feared trapped, two were rescued in the early hours since they were traced on the side which was easier to access.

A search and rescue operation underway at the site where a building collapsed in Navi Mumbai, Saturday. (Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)

THREE PEOPLE were killed while two others were injured after an unauthorised four-storey building came crashing down in Navi Mumbai’s Shahbaz village early Saturday.

According to senior Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) officials, the civic body is in the process of lodging an FIR against the building owners. The municipal body is also slated to conduct an investigation into the cause of the building crash alongside structural engineers from IIT Bombay.

Predominantly inhabited by migrants, NMMC officials said the unauthorised building had been constructed in the gaothan area nearly 13 years ago and had been served a notice in 2011.

Despite no heavy downpour on Friday, the crash occured around 4.45am on Saturday at the 13-year-old four-storey Indira Niwas building located in Shahbaz village inside Belapur’s Sector 19 in Navi Mumbai. Besides housing 17 flats, the building also comprised three shops.

In the wee hours, some residents heard crack sounds in the building and alerted others to escape the building. Over 50 residents, including 13 children, managed to flee the building, before it collapsed. However, five people were trapped.

Of the five people who were feared trapped, two were rescued in the early hours since they were traced on the side which was easier to access.

Nayonika Bose

Nayonika Bose is a Trainee Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau. While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents. Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T) Specialized Focus: Nayonika's reporting is dedicated to civic and community issues, providing readers with highly relevant, ground-level information about the functionality and administration of India's largest metropolitan area. Core Coverage Areas: Her articles highlight a strong focus on the fundamental quality of life and public safety in Mumbai, including: Civic Infrastructure: Reports on critical failures and initiatives related to public works, such as the recurring problem of unauthorized building collapses in Navi Mumbai, the construction of new infrastructure projects (like the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road and the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge), and the maintenance of essential city services (e.g., manhole cover theft). Urban Governance & Crisis Management: Provides detailed coverage of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) response to major crises, particularly during the monsoon (e.g., heavy rainfall, water cuts, and public health concerns like dengue and malaria) and large-scale public safety incidents (e.g., the hoarding collapse fallout). Community Welfare & Rights: Reports on key social issues, including the financial aid scheme for persons with disabilities, the struggles of Mumbai's hawkers protesting eviction drives, and the dangers faced by workers due to the continuation of manual scavenging in water tanks. Cultural & Heritage Reporting: Covers significant community stories, including the restoration of British-era fountains and the history of institutions like the 126-year-old Chinchpokli cemetery, showing a breadth of interest beyond pure administration. Tweets @nayonikakb ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Building collapses