Nine Workers Killed in Moshi Waste Plant Collapse: Police Launch Probe
The Pimpri Chinchwad police have registered nine Accidental Death Reports (ADRs) in connection with the deaths of nine workers who were trapped under the rubble of a collapsed waste-to-energy plant building in Moshi, a suburb of Pune. The collapse occurred on July 8, when a massive mound of legacy waste—accumulated untreated solid waste and industrial byproducts left in old landfill sites for years—became unstable after heavy rainfall and crashed onto the building, authorities said.
The ninth body was recovered from the debris around 1:30 am on Sunday, marking the end of the search and rescue operation. All nine deceased were employees of Antony Lara Renewable Energy Ltd, a private firm contracted by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to operate the waste-to-energy plant. A total of 23 workers were inside the structure at the time of the incident; 14 others were rescued and are receiving medical treatment.
Police officials stated that the inquiry into the ADRs will examine whether negligence on anyone's part contributed to the tragedy. The investigation will also take into account the inquiry report being prepared by the PCMC. The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but preliminary reports indicate that heavy rains destabilised the decades-old waste mound, causing it to slide onto the building.
The incident has raised questions about the safety of workers handling legacy waste and the structural integrity of facilities built near such landfill sites. Environmental activists have long warned about the risks of storing untreated waste in open dumps, particularly during the monsoon season. Local residents have demanded stricter safety regulations and compensation for the victims' families.
The PCMC has announced a compensation package of Rs 5 lakh for the families of each deceased worker. Additionally, the state government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the accident. The police have recorded statements from survivors and plant officials as part of the preliminary investigation.
This tragedy underscores the broader challenges India faces in managing its mounting solid waste. Legacy waste sites across the country, often decades old, pose environmental and safety hazards. Experts call for urgent measures to remediate these sites and ensure worker safety in waste processing facilities.
