A student was killed and at least 10 others were injured after a large tree collapsed onto a school bus carrying children in Mumbai’s Chembur area on Tuesday, triggering a major rescue operation.
The incident occurred on Road No. 11 in Chemburwhere the school bus was travelling with 13 students on board when the tree suddenly fell on the vehicle.
According to officials, the injured children were immediately shifted to Jain Hospital for treatment. Some of the injured students were reported to be in serious condition.
Emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene and launched an operation to remove the massive tree from the damaged bus. At the time of the incident, one child was reported to be trapped inside the vehicle, with rescue personnel using cutting equipment to clear the debris and reach the student.
The exact cause of the tree collapse has not been officially confirmed. However, the incident occurred on a day when the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for Mumbai and its suburbs.
Local residents alleged that they had repeatedly approached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) requesting the trimming or removal of trees in the area, claiming that a similar incident had occurred previously. According to residents, repeated complaints regarding potentially hazardous trees had not resulted in preventive action.
Authorities have not commented on the residents’ allegations or whether the tree had previously been identified as a safety risk.
The accident caused panic in the locality as emergency personnel, police and local residents gathered to assist in the rescue efforts. Traffic movement in the area was also affected while the rescue operation continued.
Officials are expected to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the condition of the tree and whether weather conditions contributed to its collapse.
The incident has once again drawn attention to public safety concerns during the monsoon season, when heavy rain and strong winds often increase the risk of trees collapsing across Mumbai.
Further details are awaited as rescue operations and official investigations continue.
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