Early Friday morning (July 18, 2025), a three-storey residential chawl - Chawl No. 37 - collapsed in the Bharat Nagar area of Bandra East, Mumbai, following a suspected cylinder blast. The incident occurred around 5:56 am and resulted in injuries to at least seven individuals, later admitted to Bhabha Hospital, with several more feared trapped under debris.

Mumbai Fire Brigade, initially declaring a Level I alert and quickly escalating to Level II, deployed eight fire engines, multiple rescue vans, and ambulances, alongside personnel from BMC, MHADA, PWD, Police, and even Adani staff. Their combined efforts have successfully rescued seven people so far . Xinhua reports eight fire-trucks were rushed to the site to support the operation.

Officials from the Fire Brigade, BMC, and Mumbai Police continue search and rescue operations, inspecting the structural integrity of remaining sections to prevent further collapse . The cause is being closely investigated, with early indicators pointing to the cylinder blast as a likely trigger.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of aging urban buildings, especially during emergencies. Authorities are urging regular structural audits and greater vigilance over gas cylinder installations to avert future tragedies.