Mumbai: The death toll in the Virar building collapse in Maharashtra has risen to 17, officials confirmed Thursday, as search and rescue efforts entered the second day.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the rear portion of the Ramabai Apartment building suddenly caved in at around 12.05 A.M., trapping several residents under the rubble.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, stating, “The collapse of a building in Virar, Maharashtra, resulting in the death of several people, is extremely tragic. I express my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this accident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
महाराष्ट्र के विरार में एक इमारत गिर जाने से हुई कई लोगों की मृत्यु अत्यंत दुखद है। इस दुर्घटना में अपने प्रियजनों को खोने वाले परिवारों के प्रति मैं शोक-संवेदना व्यक्त करती हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करती हूं।
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 28, 2025
Rescue efforts have been ongoing for more than 24 hours, with two teams from the 5th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) engaged in operations at the site.
Officials confirmed that nine people have been pulled out alive, but operations are still underway with fears that more victims may remain trapped.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his anguish over the deaths and announced relief measures for the affected families.
“We share the sorrow of all these families, and at the same time, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the heirs of the deceased. Rescue operations have been underway with the help of NDRF for the past 48 hours, and they will conclude in the next few hours. So far, 9 people have been rescued safely,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in an official statement.
विरार भागात एक इमारत कोसळून झालेल्या दुर्घटनेत आतापर्यंत 17 जणांचा मृत्यू झालेला आहे, याबद्दल मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी तीव्र दुःख व्यक्त केले आहे आणि मृतांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण केली आहे. या सर्व कुटुंबियांच्या दुःखात आम्ही सहभागी आहोत, असे सांगतानाच मृतांच्या…
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 28, 2025
In the aftermath of the collapse, the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) filed a complaint against the builder, leading to his arrest.
Authorities have also evacuated all nearby chawls as a precautionary measure, shifting residents to safer locations.
The collapse has left numerous families without shelter. At present, the displaced residents are being housed at Chandansar Samaj Mandir, where arrangements have been made for food, drinking water, medical aid, and other essential support.
IANS
