A portion of a building staircase has collapsed in the Chira Bazar area of south Mumbai, prompting immediate rescue efforts to assist residents who are now stranded. The incident occurred at Building No. 14/16, Prabhu Gully, near Marine Lines station, involving a ground-plus-two structure.
As of August 17, 2025, rescue teams are on-site working to safely evacuate those trapped within the building. The collapse has created an urgent situation, and authorities are prioritizing the safe removal of residents from the affected structure. Details regarding potential casualties or injuries are still unavailable as the rescue operation unfolds.
The incident took place in a densely populated locality in the city. The Fire Brigade and local BMC ward personnel are responding to the incident. Such incidents raise concerns about the structural integrity of older buildings, especially during the monsoon season. In previous instances, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified numerous buildings as dangerous, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining infrastructure in Mumbai.
Building collapses are not uncommon in Mumbai, particularly in older areas. Several factors contribute to these incidents, including aging infrastructure, heavy rainfall, and inadequate maintenance. In July 2023, one woman died and several others were injured after a portion of a building collapsed in Mumbai after heavy rain. In June 2024, two women were killed as a portion of a four-storey structure collapsed in Mumbai. In October 2024, slabs collapsed across two floors of a building in Grant Road area in Mumbai.
In June 2022, a portion of a seven-storey residential building collapsed in the Kalbadevi area of south Mumbai, resulting in the rescue of at least 60 people. In April 2024, three people sustained injuries when a part of a building being demolished in south Mumbai's Fort area gave way. In June 2021, a staircase portion of a five-storey building in the Fort area of south Mumbai collapsed, prompting the rescue of 35 people. In January 2018, three people were rescued after a building staircase collapsed in Vidya Vihar.
The current rescue operation is focused on ensuring the safety of all residents. Authorities are working to assess the extent of the damage and to determine the cause of the collapse. Further investigations will likely be conducted to evaluate the structural integrity of the remaining building and to prevent future incidents.
This event underscores the critical need for regular building inspections and timely repairs to safeguard the lives of residents in Mumbai.
