Pune building collapse death toll rises to nine after final body recovered from rubble
PUNE: Rescue teams recovered the body of the last missing person from the collapsed waste-to-energy plant building in Moshi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, early Sunday morning, bringing the death toll from the disaster to nine. The victim, identified as Waman Kasbe, was the building's watchman and a resident of Moshi.
Civic officials confirmed that the body was retrieved from the debris at approximately 1:30 am. Kasbe's family had been waiting at the gates of the Moshi garbage depot for news. The family had migrated from Beed district five years ago in search of employment.
Special Officer of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Kiran Gaikwad, announced that the rescue operation has officially concluded. “The police have conducted the inquest, and post-mortems were performed by doctors at YCM Hospital. All bodies have been handed over to their respective families,” Gaikwad said.
The accident occurred on July 8 when a massive mound of garbage across the street destabilised and collapsed onto the building. At the time, 23 employees of Anthony Lara Renewable Energy Limited, a private firm contracted by the PCMC, were inside the building. Five employees on the first floor escaped immediately after the collapse. Later, a joint operation by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the PCMC fire brigade, and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) rescued nine trapped workers.
The first fatality, Bhavesh Wani, was recovered on Thursday. However, rescue teams faced difficulties locating the remaining eight people over the next two days. Facing criticism from relatives and activists over the delay, the PCMC intensified operations with heavy machinery. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also intervened, directing the PCMC to expedite recovery.
To create a safe pathway through unstable debris, emergency services deployed 12 Poclain machines, dumpers, and JCB excavators. The PCMC used two state-of-the-art demolition excavator machines to conduct controlled dismantling of hazardous concrete sections under NDRF supervision.
On Saturday, rescuers recovered seven bodies: Akshay Sawant (35), Sunil Korke (40), Sunny Mane (39), Mahesh Kumbhar (33), Nagesh Gaikwad (26), Ranjeet Patil (22), and Rahul Gaikwad (35).
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar visited the site on Saturday and promised accountability. “Those guilty will not be spared. We will take stern action in this matter,” she said. Pimpri-Chinchwad Mayor Ravi Landge announced that the PCMC will provide ex gratia financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the families of each victim. Additionally, the private firm, Anthony Lara Renewable Energy Limited, will provide Rs 25 lakh in compensation per family and cover educational expenses for the victims' children.
