12 Injured in Bandra Chawl Collapse, Two Critical; Massive Rescue Underway

Bandra, Mumbai | July 18, 2025 : A ground-plus-two-storey residential structure collapsed early Friday morning in Mumbai’s Bandra East, injuring at least 12 people—two of them critically—triggering a large-scale emergency response from civic and state agencies.

The incident occurred around 5:56 AM at Chawl No. 37 in Bharat Nagar, near the Namaj Committee Masjid in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area. According to officials, the structure, described in initial reports as a ground-plus-three-storey building, suddenly gave way, trapping multiple residents under the debris.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) promptly declared a Level I emergency and launched a coordinated rescue operation. Eight fire engines, rescue vans, and ambulances were dispatched to the site, supported by teams from the Mumbai Police, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), Public Works Department (PWD), and emergency personnel from Adani Group. Local building staff and residents also participated in the search-and-rescue efforts.

Medical authorities confirmed that 12 people were admitted to hospitals following the collapse. Two critically injured individuals, Rehana Ansari (65) and Mohammad Ansari (68), sustained approximately 50 percent burn injuries and were shifted from Bhabha Hospital to KEM Hospital for specialized care.

The remaining ten victims are in stable condition and are receiving treatment at Bhabha Hospital. They include:

• Mohammad Lareb Irfan (8)

• Mustafa Ibrahim Sayyed (57)

• Shabana Mustafa Sayyed (42)

• Noori Irfan Khan (35)

• Mohammad Irfan Khan (50)

• Abdul Rehman Irfan Khan (22)

• Alfiya Mustafa Sayyed (18)

• Aliya Mustaq Sayyed (16)

• Jaffar Jamal Khan (approx. 80)

• Sharmin Shaikh (32)

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the collapse. However, structural failures during Mumbai’s monsoon season are not uncommon, especially in ageing or poorly maintained buildings. Heavy rainfall and water seepage are often contributing factors in such incidents.

As rescue operations continue, officials have urged citizens to avoid the area and allow emergency crews unimpeded access to the site.