Mumbai: At least seven people, including three children, were killed and four others injured after a massive landslide struck a residential pocket in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar on Wednesday following persistent heavy rains.
The tragedy occurred at around 3:48 a.m. at Gaushiya Chawl in the Ashok Nagar area of Chirag Nagar.
A portion of the adjacent hillside collapsed, dumping mud, large boulders, and debris onto two to three row houses while residents were asleep.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in an official post on social media platform X said, “The news of the accident caused by a landslide in the Sakinaka Gausia Chawl area of Ghatkopar is extremely heartbreaking. It has come to light that some people have lost their lives in this accident, and we share in the grief of their families. Due to relentless heavy rains throughout the night, a portion of the hill collapsed, causing a landslide onto houses, and some individuals got trapped under the debris. As soon as information about this incident was received, rescue teams promptly reached the site and initiated rescue operations. The injured have been immediately admitted to the hospital, and instructions have been given to provide them with the necessary treatment.”
Civic authorities confirmed seven victims were brought dead to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar.
The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Samir Ansari (14), Sahil Husen Abdul Kazi (19), Aban Arif Shaikh (2), Manat Arif Shaikh (4), Marjina Arif Shaikh (27), Viket Ramesh Yadav (27), and an unidentified adult.
Four injured individuals — Sohel Ansari (18), Mohammad Ansari (14), Naimuddhin Eqbal Khan (28), and Sajid Ansari (16) — were rescued and admitted to Bhabha Hospital in Kurla, where officials reported their conditions as stable.
Search and rescue operations were launched immediately by teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Mumbai Police, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ward staff.
Emergency responders faced severe operational hurdles due to the topography of Chirag Nagar.
The access routes into Gaushiya Chawl are extremely narrow, allowing passage for only one person at a time, which prevented heavy earth-moving machinery from reaching the immediate collapse zone.
Rescuers had to rely on manual tools and hand-held equipment to clear concrete slabs and dirt.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the site to oversee operations and interact with affected families.
The Mayor announced an immediate financial relief package comprising Rs 4,00,000 as ex-gratia to the next of kin of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 as financial assistance toward medical treatment for each injured individual.
Municipal authorities have placed nearby hill-slope settlements on high alert as heavy rainfall continues across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
(IANS)
