Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Mumbai Ganesh Idol Collapse Kills Two; Support Failure Suspected
A very large Ganesh statue was being carried to a festival location in Mumbai.
It was traveling from Byculla to Bhuleshwar during an arrival procession.
The statue was lifted or supported by a crane when it suddenly fell.
Two people died and five people were hurt.
One of the people who died was Sanket Nevshe, a leader of the festival group.
Police think a part of the support system may have failed.
One preliminary account mentions a broken welded support, while another mentions a loose nut and bolt.
Police have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
They are checking the crane, cables, supports and safety rules, while the injured people were reported to be stable.
A 22-foot Bhuleshwarcha Raja Ganesh idol collapsed during its arrival procession in south Mumbai on Saturday around 10 p.m.
The idol was being transported by crane from a workshop in Byculla toward Bhuleshwar when it fell near Kabutarkhana.
Two people, including mandal president Sanket Nevshe, died, while five others—including two girls—were injured.
Police cited a broken rear welding support as one preliminary explanation; another report suggested a loose nut-bolt in the support mechanism.
Police registered an Accidental Death Report and are examining the crane, cables, supports and safety procedures.
- Who
- Participants in the Bhuleshwarcha Raja Ganesh Mandal procession; two people died and five were injured.
- What
- A 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed while being transported by crane during its arrival procession.
- When
- Around 10 p.m. on Saturday; police released preliminary findings on Sunday.
- Where
- Balaram Merchant Road near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar, south Mumbai, during transport from Byculla.
- Why
- Police said a preliminary investigation pointed to failure of the idol’s support system, but the exact cause remains under investigation.
Welding-Support Explanation
Nut-Bolt Explanation
Possible technical failure
Welding-Support Explanation
Police said a preliminary investigation suggested that a welding support at the back of the idol broke, causing it to fall forward.
Nut-Bolt Explanation
A report cited by the other article said an important nut-bolt in the support mechanism may have come loose as pressure increased during crane transport.
Status of the explanation
Welding-Support Explanation
The welding-support finding was described by police as preliminary, pending further investigation and medical reports.
Nut-Bolt Explanation
The nut-bolt account was also presented as a suspected mechanism, while police stressed that a detailed technical inquiry is needed to establish the exact cause.
- Deaths
- Two people died: Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi, 30.
- Injuries
- Five people were injured: Vaibhav Ghenand, Pawan Chaurasiya, Lavanya Ganer, Divya Ganer and Kunal Kashid; they were reported stable.
- Idol height
- 22 feet.
- Transport route
- The idol was being taken from a workshop in Byculla toward Bhuleshwar.
- Preliminary cause
- Police cited a broken rear welding support; another report referred to a nut-bolt coming loose in the support mechanism.
- Police action
- The V.P. Road Police registered an Accidental Death Report and began a further investigation.
- Safety review
- Investigators are examining the crane’s capacity, cables, support system and safety arrangements.
