Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Dahi Handi Accidents Kill Two, Injure Hundreds Across Maharashtra
Dahi Handi is a festival activity in which people make human pyramids to break a pot hanging above them.
During celebrations in Mumbai, a rope was tied between a tree and a brick column.
The column fell when children tried to break the pot.
Seven-year-old Rudra Kadam was trapped under the debris and died from his injuries.
In Pune, Salma Salauddin Pathan died when a temporary iron structure fell while workers were taking it down.
Many Govindas, the people taking part in the pyramids, were injured in Mumbai and Thane.
News reports gave different numbers for the injuries, ranging from 118 to more than 200 across Mumbai.
Police investigated the Pune death, and officials reminded everyone to put safety before breaking records.
Seven-year-old Rudra Kadam died after a brick column collapsed during a Dahi Handi event in Malvani, Mumbai.
A 45-year-old woman, Salma Salauddin Pathan, died when a temporary iron structure fell during dismantling in Old Sangavi, Pune.
Mumbai hospitals reported varying totals of injured Govindas, including 32 initially, 118 by 6 p.m., 168 in another account and more than 200 overall.
Thane hospitals reported either 12 or 44 injured Govindas, depending on the cited official update.
Police registered an accidental-death report in the Pune case, while authorities urged organisers and participants to prioritise safety over records.
- Who
- Seven-year-old Rudra Kadam and 45-year-old Salma Salauddin Pathan died; numerous Govindas were injured in Mumbai and Thane.
- What
- A brick column collapsed during a Mumbai celebration, while a temporary iron structure fell during dismantling after a Pune-area event.
- When
- The Mumbai incident occurred around 3:01 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026; the Pune incident was reported as occurring on Friday night or late Saturday night, depending on the account.
- Where
- The Mumbai incident occurred at Ekta Welfare Society in Chikuwadi, Malvani, Malad West. The other occurred in Old Sangavi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, near Pune.
- Why
- In Mumbai, reports said tension from the Dahi Handi rope contributed to the brick column’s collapse. In Pune, a heavy part of an iron structure fell while workers dismantled the event setup.
Safety and accountability concerns
Festival participation and family perspectives
Celebration safety
Safety and accountability concerns
Officials and civic authorities urged organisers to follow safety protocols, avoid hazardous support structures and place participants’ lives above record-breaking attempts.
Festival participation and family perspectives
Large numbers of Govindas continued taking part in Dahi Handi celebrations across Mumbai and neighbouring areas despite intermittent rain.
Pune investigation
Safety and accountability concerns
The collapse of the temporary iron structure led police to register an accidental-death report and investigate how the setup fell.
Festival participation and family perspectives
Pathan’s family reportedly declined to file a complaint because her son was associated with the organising mandal and they did not want organisers or participants to face difficulties.
Injury totals
Safety and accountability concerns
Early and official hospital updates reported more limited figures, including 118 injured in Mumbai by 6 p.m.
Festival participation and family perspectives
Later reports cited 168 injured in Mumbai, more than 200 citywide, or 212 across Mumbai and Thane, showing that totals rose or differed as hospitals reported additional cases.
- Mumbai fatality
- Rudra Kadam, seven, suffered critical head injuries and was declared dead at Malvani General Hospital.
- Pune fatality
- Salma Salauddin Pathan, 45, died after an iron frame or structure fell on her in Old Sangavi.
- Mumbai injury reports
- Reported totals included 32 at 3 p.m., 118 by 6 p.m., 168 in another account and more than 200 by a later citywide report.
- Thane injury reports
- One account reported 12 injured Govindas in Thane, while another reported 44.
- Hospital figures
- One BMC account listed 29 cases at KEM, 17 at Nair, 13 at Rajawadi, seven at Sion, eight at Hinduja and 11 at Podar.
- Pune police action
- Police registered an accidental-death report after Pathan’s family declined to lodge a complaint and continued investigating the collapse.
- Safety response
- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde urged participants to protect teammates rather than focus on breaking records; civic hospitals kept beds and medical staff ready.
Sources
Tragic accidents mar Dahi Handi celebrations in Mumbai and Pune; 2 killed, over 110 injured
7-year-old dies during 'Dahi Handi' celebration in Mumbai, 118 'govindas' injured
Mumbai Dahi Handi Tragedy: 7-Year-Old Dies During Preparations In Malvani; Over 200 Govindas Injured
7-Year-Old Among 2 Dead, 212 Injured During Mumbai Dahi Handi Celebrations
Dahi Handi Celebrations Turn Tragic: 7-Year-Old Boy Dies After Brick Column Collapses On Him In Mumbai's Malvani
Maharashtra ‘Dahi Handi’ tragedy: 2 dead, 130 Govindas injured during celebrations
