Ganesh Idol Collapse in Mumbai's Bhuleshwar Kills 2, Injures 5
A 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed during its installation ceremony in south Mumbai's Bhuleshwar area on Tuesday night, leaving two people dead and five others injured, officials said. The incident occurred at approximately 10 pm on Balaram Merchant Road, a busy thoroughfare in the densely populated neighbourhood.
The idol belonged to the 'Bhuleshwaracha Raja' mandal, a community group that organises the annual Ganesh pandal. It fell during the 'aagman' or arrival ceremony, when devotees gather to welcome the deity. Preliminary findings suggest that loose nuts and bolts in the idol's supporting frame led to the collapse, a civic official said on condition of anonymity. The exact cause will be determined after a thorough technical inquiry.
Emergency services, including the Mumbai Fire Brigade, local police, traffic police, and 108 ambulance teams, were quickly deployed to the spot. Civic staff from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also reached the location. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The two deceased were identified as Sanket Nevshe (33) and Brijesh Hemant Joshi (30). The five injured are Vaibhav Ghenand (38), Pawan Chaurasia (25), Lavanya Ganer (5), Divya Ganer (7), and Kunal Kashid (26). Ghenand and Chaurasia are receiving treatment at GT Hospital, while the Ganer sisters and Kashid are at JJ Hospital. Officials said all five injured are stable.
Ganeshotsav is among the most significant festivals in Mumbai and Maharashtra, celebrated with great fervour over ten days. Devotees install idols of Lord Ganesh either at home or in public pandals, performing a series of rituals. The arrival ceremony, in which the idol is formally welcomed, attracts large crowds. In Mumbai, some idols are exceptionally tall; the city's biggest, 'Mumbaicha Raja', stands between 45 and 47 feet high.
The tragic incident underscores the potential hazards associated with heavy, tall idols during public events. The police have cordoned off the area for inspection, and officials said a detailed investigation is underway to understand the structural failure and to prevent such accidents in the future.
Bhuleshwar, known for its narrow lanes and bustling markets, witnesses heavy footfall during the festive season. Authorities have urged local mandals to conduct thorough safety checks of their idols and support structures before installation.
