In a disturbing incident, a huge mound of garbage crashed onto a three-storey building in Pune, leading to its collapse. At least 16 people are feared trapped under the debris.
Visuals show the building was located near the city’s garbage depot.
The building was reportedly an administrative office for a private waste processing firm that works on behalf of the civic body.
The collapse occurred when the mountain-like pile of water became loose due to the heavy monsoon rains and hit the structure.
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi pointed out that as many as 16 employees are believed to be inside the building.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force, fire brigade and ambulances have reached the spot, and a rescue operation is underway, he said.
Mahesh Landge, a BJP leader in the area, said, "Due to heavy rainfall, a landslide occurred at the Moshi waste depot, where the garbage mound collapsed."
"Efforts are underway to transport the injured employees to the hospital. It is extremely heartbreaking that the lives of innocent employees are at stake due to the fury of nature," he wrote on X.
Reports say the building was reportedly under construction. The building was also completed a few years ago, raising concerns about the construction quality.
