Mumbai – Child Dies After Fall Into Elevator Shaft at Nehru Nagar Tower
Mumbai – A 12-year-old child died after falling into an elevator shaft at a residential building in Mumbai’s Nehru Nagar area, according to local residents. The incident reportedly took place at Shamim Tower, where the child is said to have fallen from the 10th floor to the third floor while playing with other children.
Children Were Playing Near Elevator Area
Residents said the child had been playing hide-and-seek with friends in the building when the accident occurred. A neighbour who spoke to reporters said children in the tower often used corners near the lift as hiding spots during games.
According to the account shared by the neighbour, the child was standing close to the elevator doors and leaning against them while trying to hide. The doors allegedly opened unexpectedly, leading to the fall into the shaft.
The child was reported dead after the incident. Details about the immediate medical response and the official cause of death were not available at the time of reporting.
Residents Raise Concerns Over Elevator Condition
Some residents have alleged that the elevator at the building had not been functioning properly for several months. A neighbour claimed that the lift had faced repeated technical issues for around seven months before the fatal accident.
“There has been a problem with the elevator for a long time. It has not been working properly for months,” the neighbour said. The resident also mentioned that there was no electricity on their floor at the time, leaving the area dark.
The claims regarding the elevator’s condition have not yet been independently confirmed by the building management or civic authorities. It was also not immediately clear whether maintenance records or safety inspections would be examined as part of any inquiry.
Questions Over Building Safety Measures
The incident has drawn attention to safety arrangements in high-rise residential buildings, particularly in common areas used by children. Elevator doors and shafts are expected to have safeguards that prevent access when a lift is not present at a floor.
Authorities may examine whether the elevator had been serviced regularly and whether the building followed required safety procedures. Residents said they hoped that the incident would lead to a review of maintenance standards and emergency safety systems in the tower.
No official statement from the police or the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was immediately available on the elevator shaft incident.
Six Killed in Mankhurd Structure Collapse
In a separate tragedy, at least six people were killed after a structure collapsed in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area amid continuing heavy rain, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said.
The collapse occurred on Sunday evening in Janata Nagar, located in the Mandala area. Officials said two to three shanties housed inside a ground-plus-three-storey structure were affected after a neighbouring building reportedly collapsed onto them.
Mumbai Police said the incident took place at around 8:30 pm under the jurisdiction of Mankhurd Police Station. Several people were trapped beneath the rubble after the adjoining structure gave way.
Rescue Teams Search Through Debris
Emergency teams were deployed to the site soon after the collapse. Rescue personnel worked to remove debris and search for people believed to be trapped inside the damaged structures.
The incident came as Mumbai and nearby suburbs continued to receive heavy rainfall over several days. Persistent rain has raised concerns about weak and ageing buildings, especially in densely populated neighbourhoods where structures may be vulnerable to water damage.
Civic authorities are expected to assess the condition of nearby buildings and determine whether further evacuations or safety measures are required. Investigations into both incidents are likely to focus on possible lapses in maintenance, structural safety and emergency preparedness.