Uprooted tree kills 11-year-old, injures 5 in Mumbai school van accident
MUMBAI: An 11-year-old student was killed and five others injured when a large peepal tree collapsed on a school van in the Chembur area of Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The incident occurred around 2.50 pm on Road No. 11 near the Heritage Pride building. The van, belonging to Universal High School, was carrying 12 students when the tree, weakened by continuous rainfall, was uprooted and fell on the vehicle.
According to the police, the van's conductor and local residents immediately began rescue efforts and managed to free all trapped children. Four students sustained minor injuries, while one was critically injured. All injured were taken to Chembur's Zen Hospital for treatment.
The deceased student was later identified as an 11-year-old boy. The exact cause of the tree's fall is under investigation. Authorities have not confirmed whether the tree was previously inspected for stability during the monsoon season.
Mumbai has experienced heavy rainfall over the past few days, leading to several incidents of tree falls and waterlogging. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been urged to conduct immediate safety audits of trees in the area.
