Five Dead, Nine Injured in Virar Apartment Collapse

On August 26, 2025, tragedy struck Virar East in Maharashtra’s Palghar district when part of the Ramabai Apartment collapsed, killing five people and injuring nine others. Rescue teams from the fire brigade, police, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) worked through narrow lanes to pull 18 individuals from the debris, while efforts to locate those missing continued into the following day. The collapse occurred during a family gathering, with several members of the Jovil family among the victims.

Ramabai Apartment, constructed in 2011, had been declared unsafe by the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC). Despite repeated warnings and notices, no decisive action was taken before the collapse. Investigations revealed that parts of the building had already shown signs of structural weakness, including a staircase failure in the preceding weeks. Authorities have since arrested the builder under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.

The incident highlights systemic issues in monitoring and enforcement of construction safety within rapidly urbanising regions like Vasai-Virar. Civic officials have now announced steps to formalise property rights for affected residents, including adding their names to land records and issuing proof of residence certificates. However, local leaders have called for stricter action, including seizure of assets of negligent developers, to ensure accountability and protect homeowners.

The collapse has once again drawn attention to the urgent need for robust inspection regimes and redevelopment of unsafe structures. With multiple high-density residential buildings in the region flagged as dangerous, this case underscores the importance of proactive governance, timely rehabilitation, and technical due diligence to prevent further tragedies.

Check out the following video for more information on the tragic building collapse.