Vacant Building Collapses in South Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazar

A four-storey vacant building in South Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazar partially collapsed early Friday, officials reported. No injuries or casualties have been recorded.

The incident occurred around 12:30 am on Nishanpada Road near Khoja Jamat Khana. Known as the Husainibai Building, located at 40 Tan Tanpura Street, the structure had been declared dilapidated and unsafe before its collapse.

VIDEO | #Maharashtra: Rescue operations underway at the site of building collapse in the Bhendi Bazar area of south Mumbai. A four-storey vacant building partially collapsed in the early hours of Friday.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)… pic.twitter.com/QnBc5VPGcg

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2024

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) received an alert at 12:06 am and promptly dispatched five fire brigade vehicles and personnel from the building department to the site. Search-and-rescue operations and debris clearing were carried out despite the building being unoccupied. Officials thoroughly inspected the site for any potential risks or trapped individuals, ensuring no hazards remained.

Local residents, alarmed by the collapse, gathered near the site. To maintain order, police teams were deployed to the area. Speaking about the incident, a fire brigade official stated, "The building was vacated earlier due to its unsafe condition, preventing any injuries or casualties. Our team, along with building department staff, is actively clearing the rubble."

The cause of the collapse has not been officially determined, but initial assessments point to the deteriorated state of the building. Bhendi Bazar, a densely populated area with many aging structures, has experienced similar incidents in the past, highlighting ongoing concerns over structural safety.

As of 5:46 am, the site was under close supervision with continued efforts by fire brigade and civic officials to address the aftermath. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area and emphasized the importance of regular safety checks for older buildings to prevent such incidents.