A tragic building collapse in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi town has claimed at least 10 lives, while several others were injured and rescue teams continue searching for anyone who may still be trapped under the debris. The incident occurred late on the night of July 30 when a portion of the Kohinoor Building, a four-storey residential structure in Balaji Nagar, suddenly collapsed.

According to officials, the building had been classified as unsafe and beyond repair (C-1 category) by the local civic body in 2020. Residents had also been issued eviction notices earlier this year, but several families continued living in the building. Preliminary investigations suggest that unauthorized repair work and illegal structural alterations may have weakened the building, although the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, police, and local disaster response units rushed to the site soon after the collapse. Rescue personnel used heavy machinery, sniffer dogs, and specialized equipment to search through the rubble. Several injured victims were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Authorities have announced that legal action will be taken against those found responsible. Officials are examining the role of the building owner, contractors, and others involved in the unauthorized repair work. The incident has once again highlighted the risks posed by aging and unsafe buildings, particularly during the monsoon season.

The tragedy has also prompted civic authorities to review other dangerous structures in Bhiwandi. Officials stated that more than 130 buildings in the city have been identified as highly unsafe and require immediate evacuation to prevent similar disasters. Temporary shelters have been arranged for affected residents.

The Bhiwandi collapse serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building safety norms, timely evacuation of hazardous structures, and accountability to prevent avoidable loss of life.