A police probe into the collapse of a 22-foot Ganesh idol during an arrival ceremony in Mumbai has found that a welding support at the rear of the structure may have given way, leading to the accident that killed two people and injured five others.
An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered in connection with the incident.
Idol Collapses During Arrival Ceremony
The incident occurred around 10 pm on Saturday near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar, south Mumbai, when the idol of 'Bhuleshwaracha Raja' was being brought from Byculla.
According to a preliminary police investigation, the welding support at the back of the idol broke while the idol was being brought from Byculla to Bhuleshwar. The idol fell towards the front after the welding support broke, leaving several people injured.
Several injured people were rushed to nearby hospitals following the incident.
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Police, fire brigade personnel, ambulance services and civic ward staff were deployed at the site after the idol collapsed.
The 22-foot idol broke into pieces following the fall. Police and civic officials subsequently immersed the damaged idol in the sea off Girgaon Chowpatty in south Mumbai.
Ganesh Mandal President Among Two Killed
The two people who died were identified as 33-year-old Sanket Nevshe, president of the 'Bhuleshwarcha Raja Ganesh Mandal', and 30-year-old Brijesh Hemant Joshi.
The five injured victims were identified as Vaibhav Ghenand, 38, Pawan Chaurasiya, 25, Lavanya Ganer, 5, Divya Ganer, 7, and Kunal Kashid, 26.
Civic officials said the five injured people were receiving treatment and were in stable condition.
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ADR Registered, Probe Underway
Police have registered an accidental death report and are investigating the circumstances that led to the collapse.
An official said the medical report was awaited to determine the exact cause of the deaths. The preliminary probe, meanwhile, has pointed to the welding support at the rear of the idol breaking as the apparent cause of the collapse.
Ganeshotsav is a 10-day festival that begins on September 14 this year and is among the most widely celebrated festivals in Mumbai and across Maharashtra.