Mumbai, Aug 21 (IANS) At least eight people were injured after a crane collapsed on houses in Mumbai’s Indira Nagar area in the early hours of Friday.

The incident was reported at around 3:04 a.m. in Buntara Bhavan near an MHADA building, behind Galaxy Apartment in Indira Nagar, Kurla (East).

According to local residents, demolition work was underway on an old building in Qureshi Nagar. A Poclain machine was reportedly being lifted to the top of the building with the help of the crane when it lost balance and toppled over with a loud noise.

A heavy section of the crane fell on two nearby houses, triggering panic among residents. A car and an auto-rickshaw parked on the roadside were also reportedly damaged in the accident.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the crane toppled onto a slum area. The Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, 108 ambulance service and BMC ward staff were immediately mobilised to carry out rescue and relief operations.

According to the Junior Engineer of L Ward who was present at the site, MHADA was preparing to commence an eviction and demolition operation at the location. The accident occurred during the process of positioning the crane with the assistance of a Poclain machine.

Six injured persons were admitted to Sion Hospital, while two others were taken to Bhabha Hospital in Kurla. The BMC said all six persons admitted to Sion Hospital were stable. The two injured persons admitted to Bhabha Hospital were also reported to be in stable condition.

The identities of the injured were awaited, while authorities were trying to ascertain whether anyone else remained trapped at the site.

Meanwhile, a portion of the collapsed crane reportedly came into contact with the overhead electric wire (OHE), affecting train movement and causing further concern in the area.

Mumbai Police, the Fire Brigade and Disaster Management teams rushed to the spot after receiving information about the accident. Rescue and relief operations were launched with the assistance of local residents, while efforts were made to remove the crane and secure the area.

The incident has also raised questions about the safety measures followed during the demolition operation. Police and other concerned authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the crane lost balance due to a technical fault, overloading or negligence during the work. They are also examining whether prescribed safety standards were followed.

Sadiq Qureshi, whose sister and brother-in-law were injured in the incident, told IANS, “A crane fell at the house of my sister and brother-in-law, which is located within the MMRDA area. The crane fell toward the rear side of their house, and the adjacent house was also damaged. My sister and brother-in-law are in critical condition and have been admitted to Bhabha Hospital in Kurla West. We all rushed to the spot. When I saw my brother-in-law, he had suffered serious injuries, particularly around his eyes, and was in very bad condition.”

Another local, Shafiq Qureshi, said, “They did not take any care about safety precautions. Such incidents have happened before as well. A month ago, a wall collapsed, and one person died. That incident happened where this netting was installed. There is no safety arrangement for this, and the contractors do not listen to us.”

Further investigation into the incident is underway.

–IANS

jk/dpb