Unsafe Bhiwandi Building Collapses, Killing 10, Criminal Action Planned

The death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse in Maharashtra's Thane district has climbed to 10, while three people were injured and around three others are still feared trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams continue search operations after a ground-plus-four residential building collapsed late on Thursday night in Balaji Nagar, Bhiwandi.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), fire brigade, police and local administration have been working continuously to clear debris using heavy machinery and specialised equipment in the hope of finding survivors.

Authorities said the building had been declared unsafe by the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) in 2020 and was considered beyond repair. Multiple notices, including an eviction notice issued earlier this year, were served to residents, while electricity and water connections had also been disconnected to encourage evacuation. Despite the warnings, several families continued to occupy the building.

Preliminary findings suggest that unauthorised repair work carried out without civic approval may have weakened the already dilapidated structure. The district administration has announced that criminal action will be initiated against the building owner and contractor, with investigators examining whether negligence and illegal alterations contributed to the collapse. Officials said some residents noticed cracking sounds before the building gave way, allowing a number of occupants to evacuate in time and preventing an even higher death toll.

Following the tragedy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered strict action against those responsible. The state government announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased victim and assured free medical treatment for the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences. The incident has renewed concerns over unsafe residential buildings in Bhiwandi and the need for stricter enforcement of evacuation orders to prevent similar tragedies.