72 hours after Pune garbage collapse, search continues for 7; death toll rises to 2

Almost 72 hours after a massive garbage mound crashed onto a three-storey building at the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Moshi near Pune, rescuers recovered a second body on Saturday (July 11), taking the death toll to two, while frantic efforts continue to reach seven people still believed to be trapped under the debris.

The latest victim was identified as Akshay Sawant. With no survivors pulled out over the past two days, anxiety and frustration have grown among relatives waiting at the site, many questioning the pace of the rescue operation.

Seven still trapped

The building collapsed on Wednesday (July 8) after days of relentless monsoon rain destabilised a massive legacy waste dump, triggering a garbage landslide that slammed into the administrative building and trapped around 18 people inside.

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So far, nine people have been rescued alive while two bodies have been recovered. Rescue officials said seven others are still believed to be trapped beneath layers of collapsed concrete slabs and nearly 70 feet of garbage.

Rescue enters critical phase

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the fire department, civic authorities and other agencies, has deployed around 15 excavators, including specialised demolition machines, to clear the debris. Officials said the operation has now entered its most critical phase.

According to Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi, rescuers have almost completed breaking the upper concrete slab and have begun removing the debris before attempting to cut through the lower slab where the victims are believed to be trapped.

"The upper slab has almost been broken and debris removal is underway. Once that is completed, work on breaking the lower slab will begin. We are making every possible effort to safely rescue the trapped persons," he said.

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Officials explained that the rescue has been slowed by what engineers describe as a "cantilever fall", in which multiple front slabs collapsed one over another, creating an unstable structure directly above the victims.

"The trapped persons are believed to be in the front portion where these slabs have collapsed together. They have to be removed with extreme caution to avoid further collapse," Suryawanshi said.

Slow progress

Apart from the structural challenges, nearly 70 feet of accumulated garbage has severely restricted access for heavy machinery. Rescue teams are also battling hazardous methane emissions from the legacy waste dump, forcing workers to manually clear debris in several areas to prevent vibrations that could destabilise the remaining structure.

PCMC PRO Kiran Gaikwad said two specialised demolition excavators equipped with advanced technology were brought in on Friday to speed up the operation.

"Today is the fourth day. The rescue and search operation is continuing round the clock. Every agency of the municipal corporation is deployed here. We are trying to rescue those trapped at the earliest," he said.

Officials added that creating enough working space around the collapsed structure remains one of the biggest challenges, as tonnes of garbage continue to obstruct heavy equipment.

Meanwhile, emotions ran high at the site as families demanded quicker action. "It has been four days now. When will the trapped people be rescued? Think about those who are trapped inside," said one woman waiting outside the site.

Another relative said the uncertainty had become unbearable. "We don't even know whether those trapped under the rubble are still alive."

One man whose brother remains trapped said waste removal was still continuing and urged authorities to speed up the operation.

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Responding to the criticism, Suryawanshi insisted there had been "absolutely no delay" and said the NDRF was following established rescue protocols while working as quickly as possible. "We understand their emotions and share their pain. They are members of the Pimpri Chinchwad family, and we are deeply saddened by this tragedy," he said.

Gaikwad echoed the sentiment, saying every possible effort was being made to bring those trapped out safely.

Compensation announced

Meanwhile, questions have also emerged over the building itself. Amid reports that the first and second floors may have been constructed without authorisation, the PCMC Commissioner confirmed that a formal inquiry would be conducted once the rescue operation concludes.

Pimpri Chinchwad Mayor Ravi Landge said rescue teams had detected signs of three trapped individuals beneath the debris. "We are trying to pull them out. Action will be taken against those found guilty, but our immediate priority is rescuing everyone trapped inside," he said.

Authorities have also proposed a compensation package of Rs 40 lakh for the families of each deceased victim, comprising Rs 25 lakh from the contractor, Rs 10 lakh from the municipal corporation and Rs 5 lakh from the Maharashtra government.

As rescue teams race against time, officials say the operation will continue through the night until all those trapped beneath the collapsed building are reached.

(With agency inputs)