Preliminary probe points to possible structural failure in idol frame
Two people were killed and five others injured after a 22-foot-tall Ganesh idol collapsed during the arrival procession of Bhuleshwar Cha Raja in south Mumbai on Saturday night. The incident took place at around 10 pm on Balaram Merchant Road near Kabutarkhana in Bhuleshwar, around 50 metres before the idol was due to reach its pandal.
The idol was being transported from Byculla towards Bhuleshwar when it suddenly became unbalanced and toppled onto people gathered around the procession. Preliminary information suggested that loose nuts and bolts in the supporting frame may have contributed to the collapse, while fire officials also indicated that faulty welding could have caused the frame to give way. The exact cause is being investigated.
Two killed, five injured
The deceased have been identified as Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi, 30. Nevshe was reportedly the president of the Ganpati mandal.
Five others were injured, including two children aged five and seven. The injured were taken to GT Hospital, JJ Hospital and other nearby medical facilities, and officials said their condition was stable.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, traffic police, civic ward staff and 108 ambulance services were immediately deployed at the site. The idol reportedly broke into three pieces following the collapse.
The DB Marg Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and are investigating the circumstances that led to the idol falling.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: A 22-foot Ganpati idol, Bhuleshwar Cha Raja, fell while being transported from Byculla to Bhuleshwar in Mumbai, around 50 metres before the pandal. The incident left 5 people injured and 2 dead pic.twitter.com/tdSvrfat0A
— IANS (@ians_india) August 22, 2026
Festive celebration turns tragic
The incident occurred during the Aagman, or arrival ceremony, ahead of Mumbai’s annual Ganeshotsav celebrations. Large crowds traditionally gather during such processions as idols are transported to pandals across the city.
The tragedy has also renewed attention on the safety measures required while transporting and handling large idols, particularly in Mumbai’s densely populated areas
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- 2 killed, 5 injured as 22-foot Ganesh idol collapses during Mumbai arrival ceremony - August 23, 2026
- An iPhone, an argument and three lives lost: The deeper tragedy behind Maharashtra’s shocking deaths - August 22, 2026
- Govt restricts common cold-drug combinations for children under four - August 22, 2026
