16 Feared trapped after garbage mound crashes onto office due to heavy rains in Pune

At least 16 people are feared trapped after a massive mound of garbage collapsed onto a three-storey building in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad on Wednesday, triggering a major rescue operation.

The incident occurred in Moshi, where the building served as the administrative office of a private company engaged in waste processing for the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

According to PCMC Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi, the building was located beside a mountain-like pile of legacy waste. Preliminary findings suggest that continuous heavy rainfall loosened the garbage mound, causing it to slide onto the structure and bring it down.

Officials said around 16 employees are believed to have been inside the building when the collapse occurred, raising fears that they may be trapped under the debris.

Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the fire brigade and emergency medical services rushed to the spot. Search and rescue operations are underway to locate and safely evacuate those trapped.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as efforts continue amid challenging weather conditions. Further details are awaited.