Two people were killed and five others, including two children, were injured after a huge Ganesh idol fell during its arrival ceremony in south Mumbai, civic officials said.
The incident took place around 10 pm on Saturday on Balaram Merchant Road near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar, while the idol of ‘Bhuleshwaracha Raja’ was being taken to its pandal.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where two of them later succumbed, officials said. The deceased were identified as Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi, 30.
The five injured, Vaibhav Ghenand, 38, Pawan Chaurasiya, 25, Lavanya Ganer, 5, Divya Ganer, 7, and Kunal Kashid, 26 were undergoing treatment and were reported to be in stable condition.
Fire brigade personnel, police, ambulances and civic ward staff were deployed at the spot following the incident.
Ganeshotsav, one of Maharashtra’s biggest festivals, begins on September 14 this year. In Mumbai, elaborate idol arrival processions are held ahead of the 10-day festival, drawing large crowds of devotees and involving music and celebrations.
(With inputs from PTI)
