In the early hours of Friday, a ground-plus-four-floor structure in Mumbai’s bustling Bhendi Bazaar partially collapsed, leaving debris scattered across the area. The incident occurred at the Husainibai Building, located at 40 Tan Tanpura Street near Khoja Jamat Khana in Nisan Pada. Authorities were alerted at 12:06 am, with follow-up updates received by 5:46 am, according to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB).
Fortunately, the empty building, which collapsed within minutes, did not report any casualties or injuries. Fire brigade officials and local residents quickly reached the site to assess the damage and secure the area. Online photos of the collapse show the building crumbling like a stack of cards. Five fire brigade vehicles were deployed for search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safety of the vicinity. Resident were advised to stay clear from the area as the authorities made proper arrangements of the debris and sealed the premises.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: A part of a 4-storey building collapsed in Mumbai’s Dongri area, with no reports of injuries pic.twitter.com/e250U2bk2m
— IANS (@ians_india) December 13, 2024
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: A portion of a G+4 floors building collapsed in Dongri area. Work to clear the debris underway, no casualties reported. pic.twitter.com/PZ0EE71TzF
— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2024
Bhendi Bazaar is a highly populated neighbourhood known for its old infrastructure that for long has been criticised to its structural integrity. Routine upkeep and safety checks are, therefore, necessary to avert such tragedies, like the Husainibai Building collapse.
This is the second alarming incident in the Dongri area in a matter of days. On November 27, a huge fire broke out in Ansari Heights, a 22-storey residential tower in Nishan Pada, Dongri.
The fire, that began around 1 pm, engulfed three floors—10th, 13th, and 18th —had become a Level 3 fire by 2 pm. With emergency teamson the site—nine fire engines, seven jumbo tankers, and three quick response vehicles—, the inferno was put out at 4:55 pm, following anarduous operation from BMC officials and Mumbai Police.
In total, three people were injured, including two residents, Nasir Ansari (49 years) and Samin Ansari (44 years), and fireman Anjali Jamdade (35years). They all received medical treatment and have since been stabilised.
Both incidents have emphasised the need for stronger safety measures, timely maintenance, and stronger disaster management systems in densely populated areas of Mumbai. Aging structures and problemswith living in the city require enhanced vigilance to avoid morecatastrophes.
