Agencies | Mumbai:
Two people were killed and five others injured after a massive Ganesh idol fell during the arrival procession of ‘Bhuleshwaracha Raja’ in Mumbai’s Bhuleshwar area on Saturday night, officials said.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the incident occurred at around 9.51 pm near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar, where a large number of devotees had gathered for the Ganesh idol’s arrival ceremony.
The collapse triggered panic among devotees and prompted an immediate emergency response from multiple civic and security agencies.
Following the incident, a report was received by the CP Control, after which the BMC, Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, Traffic Police, 108 Emergency Ambulance Service and concerned BMC ward staff were mobilised.
Emergency personnel reached the spot to assist those injured and manage the situation as crowds gathered in the area.
Initially, one person was reported to have been brought dead to GT Hospital, while two injured persons were undergoing treatment.
Officials later confirmed that two people had died and five others sustained injuries in the incident.
The deceased were identified as Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi, 30. Both were declared brought dead at the hospital.
Among those injured were two minor girls, aged five and seven, according to the BMC.
The condition of the injured was not immediately available.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the festive celebrations in Bhuleshwar, as authorities continue to assess the circumstances surrounding the fall of the massive idol.