9 Rescued, several still trapped after garbage mound crashes onto office in Pune building collapse
A massive rescue operation is underway in Maharashtra's Pune district after a garbage mound, loosened by heavy monsoon rains, crashed onto a three-storey administrative building at a waste-to-energy plant in Moshi, causing the structure to collapse. Nine people have been rescued, while several others remain trapped beneath the debris.
Officials said the building housed employees of a renewable energy company operating the 14 MW waste-to-energy plant in collaboration with the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). The collapse occurred on Wednesday afternoon after a large heap of legacy waste gave way due to incessant rainfall.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indian Army, the PCMC fire brigade, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority fire brigade and the police are carrying out search operations. Authorities said those rescued have been shifted to nearby hospitals, while efforts continue to locate the remaining trapped workers.
According to civic officials, around 23 people were initially believed to be inside or near the building, with five managing to escape on their own before rescue teams arrived. The incident has raised concerns over the safety of infrastructure located close to legacy waste dumps during the monsoon season.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse as rescue operations continue on a war footing.
