Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have pulled 11 people to safety while search operations continue for more victims still trapped after a section of a residential building collapsed in Virar East, Maharashtra’s Palghar district, late Tuesday night.
Officials confirmed that two people have died and several others sustained injuries in the incident. The rear portion of the four-storey Ramabai Apartment gave way around midnight, crashing onto an adjoining chawl and trapping residents beneath the rubble.
In the initial rescue efforts, aided by manual and canine search operations, four people were pulled out. One person was declared dead at the scene, while three others were rescued alive. A one-year-old child, who was found alive, tragically succumbed while being transported to hospital.
NDRF Deputy Commander Pramod Singh said two teams responded immediately after the information was received around 12 a.m. “One team from Mumbai and one from Palghar rushed to the spot. So far, 11 people have been rescued, but locals estimate around five more may still be trapped,” Singh said.
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The search is expected to continue for at least another day as the approach to the building is too narrow for heavy machinery. “All the work has to be done manually, which is slowing down operations. The rescue may continue today and tomorrow,” Singh added.
Emergency services, including the fire brigade and local police, are working alongside NDRF teams. Authorities have set up barricades to manage crowds and are assessing the stability of nearby structures. Several families in adjacent buildings have been temporarily evacuated as a precaution.
Those rescued are receiving treatment at hospitals in Virar and Nalasopara, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Officials said the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
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