The building, which had been declared dangerous by the civic body, comprised 48 rooms across four floors. Residents had heard loud cracking sounds hours before the collapse and began evacuating, but some occupants were still inside when the structure gave way.
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A tragic building collapse in Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi has left nine people dead and several others feared trapped under debris after the ‘B’ wing of the four-storey Kohinoor Building caved in late Thursday night. The incident occurred around 11:30 pm in the Balaji Nagar area, a densely populated powerloom town, while repair work was reportedly underway on the premises.
According to officials, the building had been declared dangerous by the civic body, and residents had heard loud cracking sounds emanating from the structure around 9 pm. Fearing the worst, locals immediately helped evacuate many families to safer locations. However, while some occupants were still making their way out, the building collapsed, trapping people inside.
A major multi-agency rescue operation is now underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF) and the local fire brigade deployed at the site. A dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances and heavy earth-moving machinery have also been sent to assist in the search and rescue efforts.
What happened at the Kohinoor Building?
The Kohinoor Building comprised 48 rooms, with 12 rooms on each of the four floors. Municipal officials said the structure had been flagged as dangerous by the civic body, which typically means it was identified as unsafe for habitation due to structural weaknesses, dilapidation or other hazards. This story was also covered by NDTV.
Around 9 pm on Thursday, residents reported hearing loud cracking sounds from the building. That warning sign prompted immediate action from locals, who began helping families evacuate to other locations. But in the narrow window between the first signs of distress and the actual collapse, not everyone could get out.
At approximately 11:30 pm, the ‘B’ wing of the building caved in. The timing — late at night, when many residents are asleep — increased the risk of casualties. By the time emergency teams arrived, parts of the structure had already turned into rubble, with people feared trapped inside.
Why the collapse happened
While a formal structural audit report is yet to be made public, officials have indicated that the building had been declared dangerous by the civic body. That designation usually follows inspections that find serious weaknesses in load-bearing walls, foundations, beams or columns, or signs of advanced deterioration.
The fact that repair work was underway at the time of the collapse adds another layer of complexity. In some cases, repair activities — especially if not properly supervised — can temporarily weaken a structure further before strengthening it. If shoring, scaffolding or support systems are inadequate, the risk of partial or total collapse increases.
Yeh issue kaafi important hai because it shows how quickly a known risk can turn into a tragedy. When a building is already flagged as dangerous, every crack, sound or shift in the structure should be treated as a potential warning of imminent failure.
Rescue operation underway
A major multi-agency rescue operation is in progress, with teams from the NDRF, TDRF and local fire brigade working through the night to reach people trapped under the debris. A dog squad has been deployed to detect signs of life, while heavy earth-moving machinery is being used to carefully remove rubble without causing further collapse.
Four fire engines and two ambulances are at the site, along with medical teams ready to provide immediate care to survivors. The operation is being conducted in challenging conditions because the building has turned into unstable debris, and every movement must be carefully managed to avoid endangering rescuers or potential survivors.
Officials have said that nine bodies have been recovered so far, but the exact number of people still trapped remains unclear. In such incidents, the final toll often depends on how many residents were inside at the time of collapse and how quickly rescue teams can reach them.
Background and context
Bhiwandi, located in the Thane district, is known as a major power loom hub, with many residential buildings housing workers and their families. Over the years, several old structures in the area have been identified as unsafe due to age, poor maintenance and the heavy load of occupants and equipment.
The Kohinoor Building’s collapse follows a pattern seen in other parts of Maharashtra, where old or dilapidated buildings have caved in during monsoon seasons or after warning signs were ignored. In many cases, civic bodies issue notices or declare buildings dangerous, but evacuation and demolition orders are delayed due to logistical, legal or political challenges.
This incident also comes at a time when urban building safety is under increased scrutiny after high-profile collapses and fire tragedies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Each new incident adds pressure on authorities to enforce structural audits, clear dangerous structures and ensure that residents are moved to safe accommodation in time.
Timeline
Earlier: Kohinoor Building is declared dangerous by the civic body.
Thursday, 9 pm: Residents hear loud cracking sounds from the structure.
9 pm–11:30 pm: Locals help evacuate many families; some occupants remain inside.
11:30 pm: The ‘B’ wing of the building collapses.
Late night–Friday: NDRF, TDRF, fire brigade and dog squad conduct rescue operations; nine bodies recovered, several feared trapped.
Also Read: Delhi Govt Issues Notice to Vikaspuri Private School Over “Life-Threatening” Safety Violations
Why This Matters
This matters because building collapses are among the most preventable yet deadly urban disasters. When a structure is already flagged as dangerous, the priority should be complete evacuation and swift action to prevent habitation. Any delay can cost lives.
It also matters because the victims are often low-income families who have limited options for alternative housing. In powerloom towns like Bhiwandi, many workers live in compact, multi-room buildings where rent is affordable but safety is compromised. When such buildings collapse, the human cost is borne by the most vulnerable.
For Maharashtra’s urban governance, the incident is another reminder that structural audits, timely demolition and proper rehabilitation are not optional. In simple Hinglish, jab building ko dangerous declare kiya gaya ho, toh evacuation mein deri nahi honi chahiye.
India angle
For Indian readers, this story is directly relevant because building collapses are a recurring issue in many Indian cities, especially in older, densely populated areas. From Mumbai to Kolkata to smaller industrial towns, unsafe structures pose a constant risk, particularly during monsoons or when repair work is underway.
The India angle also includes the regulatory challenge. Civic bodies often identify dangerous buildings, but enforcement can be slow due to legal processes, lack of alternative housing or political pressure. That gap between identification and action is where tragedies often occur.
There is also the labour angle. In towns like Bhiwandi, many residents are powerloom workers who depend on proximity to their workplaces. When affordable housing is unsafe, they face a cruel choice: risk living in dangerous buildings or move far away and lose income opportunities.
Analysis
My opinion is that the most alarming part of this incident is that the building had already been declared dangerous. That means the risk was known, yet people were still inside when it collapsed. Whether that was due to delayed evacuation, lack of alternative housing or non-compliance by occupants, it points to a systemic failure.
I also think the timing — during repair work — needs careful investigation. If repairs were being done without proper shoring or supervision, that could have contributed to the collapse. A structural audit of the repair plan and the contractor’s credentials will be essential to understand what went wrong.
What Next
The immediate next step will be the continuation of the rescue operation to locate and recover any survivors still trapped under the debris. As rubble is cleared, the final death toll may rise, and authorities will work to identify the victims and inform their families.
Parallel to that, a formal inquiry is likely to be ordered into the structural condition of the building, the repair work underway and the enforcement of the civic body’s dangerous-building declaration. Questions will be asked about why residents were still inside and whether evacuation orders were properly issued and enforced.
Longer term, this incident may prompt a wider drive to identify and clear dangerous buildings in Bhiwandi and other parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. If authorities act decisively, it could lead to more structural audits, faster demolition of unsafe structures and better rehabilitation plans for affected residents.
Conclusion
The collapse of the Kohinoor Building in Bhiwandi has left nine people dead and several others feared trapped, underscoring the deadly consequences of living in structures that have been declared dangerous. Despite warning sounds and local evacuation efforts, the ‘B’ wing caved in late at night, trapping residents inside.
The rescue operation is ongoing, but the tragedy is already a stark reminder of the gaps in urban building safety enforcement. For Maharashtra, the challenge is not just to respond to this incident but to ensure that known risks are addressed before they turn into future disasters.
Written By A. Jack