At least 17 people have lost their lives following the partial collapse of a four-storey building in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. The incident occurred just after midnight at 12:05 am on the intervening night of 26 and 27 August, when the rear portion of the Ramabai Apartment in Virar East gave way and fell onto a neighbouring chawl below.
Rescue operations have been underway for more than 36 hours and are expected to conclude soon. Emergency services have pulled nine people from the debris so far. Two of those rescued sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed two teams, one from Mumbai and another from Palghar to assist with the operations. They are working in coordination with the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation Fire Department, local police, and fire brigade personnel.
Deputy Commander of the NDRF, Pramod Singh, confirmed the deployment and said,
“We have both teams working tirelessly with other emergency units on-site to ensure all survivors are located and rescued.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced compensation for the victims’ families. “We share the sorrow of all these families,” read a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office,“and at the same time, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the heirs of the dead.”
In connection with the collapse, the Vasai Virar police on Thursday arrested the building’s developer, 50-year-old Niley Sane. Authorities have charged him under multiple sections of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, including Sections 52, 53, and 54, which pertain to penalties for unauthorised land development and use.
Additionally, Sane faces charges under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The incident has raised serious questions about construction safety standards and the enforcement of urban planning regulations in the region.
