16 Feared Trapped as Civic Building Collapses in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad Amid Heavy Rain

A major rescue operation is underway in Maharashtra after a three-storey administrative building collapsed in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad area on Wednesday, leaving at least 16 people feared trapped beneath the debris.

The incident occurred at the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant in Moshi, where the building served as the administrative office of a private company handling waste processing on behalf of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

Garbage Mound Believed to Have Triggered Collapse

According to PCMC Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi, preliminary findings suggest that days of heavy rainfall destabilised a massive mound of legacy waste, which then slid onto the adjacent building.

"The administrative building was situated next to a mountain-like pile of legacy waste. Prima facie, it appears that due to heavy rains, the waste mound became loose and collapsed on top of the building," the commissioner said.

Officials said around 20 employees were inside the building when the incident occurred. Four reportedly managed to escape, while 16 are believed to remain trapped under the rubble. Rescue personnel have established contact with some of those trapped, raising hopes that more lives can be saved.

NDRF, Fire Brigade Lead Rescue Efforts

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the PCMC fire brigade, police, ambulances and other emergency agencies rushed to the site shortly after the collapse.

Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris, while rescuers are working cautiously to avoid further destabilising the structure. Authorities have yet to confirm any fatalities or the exact number of injuries, stressing that the operation remains ongoing.

Heavy Rains Raise Safety Concerns

The collapse comes as Maharashtra continues to experience intense monsoon rainfall, with Pune and surrounding regions witnessing persistent showers over the past several days.

The incident has renewed concerns over infrastructure safety at industrial and civic facilities, particularly those located near legacy waste dumps or vulnerable to rain-induced landslides.

Investigation to Follow

Authorities said a detailed investigation will be launched once rescue operations conclude. Officials are expected to examine whether adequate safety measures were in place and if the building's location beside the waste mound contributed to the disaster.

For now, the focus remains on rescuing those believed to be trapped and providing medical assistance to survivors.

This is a developing story. Casualty figures and rescue details may change as officials release fresh information.