A devastating building collapse in Kalyan East, Maharashtra, claimed the lives of six people, including minors, and left six others severely injured on Wednesday.

The tragedy occurred when a slab on the second floor of a 35-year-old, four-storey building named Saptashrungi gave way during ongoing repair work, crashing down through the floors “like a stack of cards,” according to eyewitnesses.

The sudden collapse sparked panic among residents, who immediately alerted local police and fire services. Rescue operations were launched swiftly, involving the fire department, Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), police, local officials, and volunteers.

Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) Commissioner Abhinav Goyal confirmed that rescuers pulled 12 individuals from the debris, but tragically, six victims did not survive their injuries. The injured were rushed to Rukmanibai Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

The rescue effort lasted nearly four hours and was marked by intense activity to save those trapped under the rubble.

Commissioner Goyal highlighted the urgency of preventive measures in the area, stating, “A notice has been issued to all residents to conduct structural audits of their buildings as a precautionary measure ahead of the monsoon and to rectify issues. Evacuation should be done where needed to prevent further casualties.”

The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of aging infrastructure in Kalyan and the surrounding region. Authorities have urged residents to comply with safety inspections and repair directives to avoid further tragedies as the monsoon season approaches. (ILKHA)