Two people died after a massive idol of Lord Ganpati fell during its arrival procession at Jay Ambe Chowk in Mumbai’s Bhuleshwar area on Saturday night. At least five people, including two children, were injured in the incident, which occurred on Balaram Merchant Road at around 9.50 pm.
Officials said the idol fell while it was being taken to Bhuleshwar for the 10-day Ganeshotsav, which begins on September 14.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), one person was initially brought dead to GT Hospital, while two injured people were undergoing treatment. Later, officials confirmed that two people had died and five others had sustained injuries in the incident.
The deceased have been identified as Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi, 30.
The injured—Vaibhav Ghenand, 38; Pawan Chaurasiya, 25; Lavanya Ganer, 5; Divya Ganer, 7; and Kunal Kashid, 26—are undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals, and their condition is said to be stable.
Fire brigade personnel, police, ambulance services and civic ward staff were mobilised following the incident.
Ganeshotsav is one of the biggest and most widely celebrated annual festivals in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. During the festival, idols of Lord Ganesh are installed and worshipped in pandals and homes.
Every year, elaborate arrival processions are organised in Mumbai, with devotees bringing idols to various pandals amid music, celebrations and large gatherings.
