Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Ganesh Idol Collapse in Mumbai Kills Two, Spurs Safety Checks
A large Ganesh idol fell during a procession in Mumbai.
The idol was 22 feet tall and was being taken from a workshop to its festival location.
Two people died, and five others were hurt.
The injured people included two young girls, and doctors said they were stable.
Investigators think the welding holding the idol may have broken.
Some people who saw the accident said an uneven road made the trolley shake and overturn.
Police are checking the idol, its trolley and the road to find the exact cause.
The government ordered inspections of procession routes across Mumbai.
Some festival groups cancelled or made their celebrations quieter to show respect.
A 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed during its arrival procession in Bhuleshwar, South Mumbai, killing two people and injuring five.
The victims were taken to Reliance, GT and JJ hospitals; the five injured, including two girls, were reported stable.
A preliminary investigation suggested that rear welding supporting the idol broke, while eyewitnesses blamed an uneven road and an unstable trolley.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was ordered to inspect idol procession routes across Mumbai and address road and safety problems within 24 hours.
Ganesh mandals were urged to hold subdued arrival ceremonies, and some cancelled processions in memory of the victims.
- Who
- The Bhuleshwarcha Raja Ganesh Mandal procession was accompanied by devotees and volunteers; two people died and five were injured.
- What
- A 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed during its arrival procession.
- When
- Saturday night, reportedly around 9:30 to 10 p.m.
- Where
- Balaram Merchant Road near Kabutarkhana and Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar, South Mumbai.
- Why
- The exact cause remains under investigation; a preliminary finding points to failed rear welding, while eyewitnesses cited an uneven road and trolley instability.
Preliminary Investigation
Eyewitness Accounts
Cause of the collapse
Preliminary Investigation
Police and fire brigade information indicated that welding supporting the rear of the idol broke, causing it to topple forward.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses Mukesh Yadav and Pawan Chaurasia said an uneven or potholed road destabilised the trolley and caused it to overturn.
- Deaths
- Two people died: Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Joshi, 30.
- Injuries
- Five people were injured, including Lavanya Ganer, 5, and Divya Ganer, 7; they were reported stable.
- Idol
- The idol was 22 feet tall, weighed nearly two tonnes and was made of Plaster of Paris.
- Procession route
- The idol was being moved from a Byculla workshop toward Bhuleshwar and had reached about 50 metres from the pandal.
- Investigation
- Police are examining the idol's support structure, trolley and road; two Accidental Death Reports were registered, with no FIR reported in the article.
- Government response
- Ashish Shelar ordered route inspections and action on repairs and safety measures within 24 hours.
- Financial assistance
- Shelar announced Rs 5 lakh each for the deceased people's families and Rs 1 lakh each for the five injured.
