2 dead, 5 injured as Ganesh idol falls during arrival ceremony in Mumbai

In Mumbai, idol arrival ceremonies have become a major part of the celebrations, with large processions accompanying idols to neighbourhood pandals. These events typically feature music, decorations and large gatherings of devotees.

In Short

• Emergency teams from fire brigade, police and ambulances launched rescue operations
• The dead were identified as Sanket Nevshe and Brijesh Hemant Joshi
• Those injured included three adults and two children from the crowd

A festive gathering turned tragic in south Mumbai on Saturday night when a Ganesh idol fell during an arrival ceremony, killing two people and injuring five others, including two children.

The incident took place around 10 pm on Balaram Merchant Road near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar, where devotees had gathered for the arrival of Bhuleshwaracha Raja.

According to civic officials, the structure carrying the idol toppled during the ceremony, striking people in the crowded area.

Emergency services were rushed to the spot following the incident. Teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police and traffic police, along with personnel from the civic ward and the 108 ambulance service, were deployed to assist with rescue and relief operations.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Two of them, however, died from their injuries.

The deceased were identified as 33-year-old Sanket Nevshe and 30-year-old Brijesh Hemant Joshi.

The five injured included 38-year-old Vaibhav Ghenand, 25-year-old Pawan Chaurasiya, 26-year-old Kunal Kashid, and two children — five-year-old Lavanya Ganer and seven-year-old Divya Ganer.

Civic authorities said all five injured persons were in stable condition.

The incident comes as Mumbai gears up for the annual Ganeshotsav, a 10-day festival that draws massive crowds across Maharashtra. During the celebrations, devotees install and worship idols of Lord Ganapati at homes and public pandals before immersing them at the end of the festival.

In Mumbai, idol arrival ceremonies have become a major part of the celebrations, with large processions accompanying idols to neighbourhood pandals. These events typically feature music, decorations and large gatherings of devotees.

The tragedy at Bhuleshwar has raised concerns over crowd safety and arrangements during such heavily attended religious processions. Further details about what caused the idol structure to collapse were not immediately available.

- Ends