Mumbai: An 11-year-old student was killed and several others were injured after a large peepal tree uprooted during heavy rain and fell on a school van in Mumbai’s Chembur area on Tuesday afternoon. The incident triggered a major rescue operation involving the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), police and emergency medical teams.
The accident occurred on Road No. 11 in Chembur when a school van belonging to Universal High School was transporting students home.
Tree crashes onto school van
According to civic officials, 12 students were travelling in the school van when the peepal tree suddenly uprooted amid strong winds and heavy rainfall, crushing the vehicle.
Emergency responders rushed to the spot and immediately began rescuing the children trapped inside the damaged van.
Officials said 12 students were rescued, while one child remained trapped inside the mangled vehicle during the initial stages of the operation.
Student succumbs to injuries
Rescue personnel later extricated the trapped student and rushed the child to a nearby hospital.
However, officials confirmed that the 11-year-old succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident.
Several other students who were injured were admitted to Zen Hospital and other nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Their condition is being monitored by doctors.
Massive rescue operation launched
Around 27 emergency personnel participated in the rescue operation, including teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police, BMC and ambulance services.
The operation continued for a considerable period as authorities removed the fallen tree and ensured that all students had been safely evacuated.
Visuals from the scene showed rescue workers and local residents jointly clearing branches from the crushed vehicle.
Monsoon brings renewed safety concerns
The incident occurred amid heavy monsoon showers and gusty winds that have affected several parts of Mumbai in recent days.
Tree-fall incidents are common during the city’s monsoon season, often disrupting traffic and, in some cases, causing injuries and fatalities.
Chembur has witnessed similar incidents in previous years, prompting concerns over the inspection and maintenance of roadside trees.
Inquiry likely
Officials said an inquiry is expected to examine the condition of the tree and determine whether it had shown signs of weakness before collapsing.
Authorities are also expected to verify whether any prior complaints regarding the tree had been received.
Rescue operations at the site have concluded, while the injured students continue to receive medical care.
Conclusion
The death of the 11-year-old student has once again highlighted the dangers posed by weakened roadside trees during Mumbai’s monsoon season. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the tree fall and review preventive measures to minimise similar incidents in the future.