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. Police said on Sunday said a preliminary probe suggested the idol's welding support broke, causing it to collapse.
According to the police, 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.
A preliminary investigation suggested that the welding support at the back of the idol broke, causing it to fall towards the front side.
Several injured persons were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals, where two of them succumbed, a civic official said on Saturday night.
The deceased have been identified as Sanket Nevshe (33), president of the Bhuleshwarcha Raja Ganesh Mandal, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi (30), officials said.
The five injured persons -- Vaibhav Ghenand (38), Pawan Chaurasiya (25), Lavanya Ganer (5), Divya Ganer (7) and Kunal Kashid (26) -- were undergoing treatment and reported to be in stable condition, as per civic officials.
Fire brigade personnel, police, ambulance service and civic ward staff were mobilised following the incident.
As the idol broke into pieces, police and civic officials later immersed it in the sea off the Girgaon Chowpatty in south Mumbai.
The police have registered an accidental death report (ADR) and further probe is underway. They were awaiting the medical report to ascertain the exact cause of the victims' death, an official said.
Ganeshotsav, a 10‑day festival beginning on September 14 this year, is among the most widely celebrated events in Mumbai and across Maharashtra. Idols of Lord Ganesh, the elephant‑headed Hindu deity, are installed in public pandals and homes, with elaborate arrival processions in Mumbai featuring music, celebrations, and large gatherings of devotees.
(With inputs from PTI)
