Mumbai: Witnesses to the tragic Bhuleshwar Ganesh idol accident have recounted the terrifying moments when the massive idol suddenly lost balance and fell on devotees during the arrival procession of Bhuleshwar Cha Raja late Saturday night.
The incident occurred around 9:50 pm near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk on Balaram Merchant Road in Bhuleshwar. Two people were killed and five others injured after the idol reportedly toppled during the procession.
Locals Recount Moments Of Horror
A local resident, who was present at the spot, said the idol had arrived from Thakurdwar and was around 200 metres away when devotees were asked to move aside. He said loud drums and music were playing as the procession progressed.
“Around 9 pm, as the idol reached the area, it suddenly collapsed from above,” the witness said, adding that people immediately rushed towards the fallen idol. According to him, devotees began trying to rescue those trapped underneath within one or two minutes, while ambulances were soon called to the spot.
Another witness claimed that large potholes on the road near Thakurdwar may have complicated the movement of the massive idol. He said the idol’s arm broke first before the entire structure suddenly toppled.
The witness said his young grandson was sitting near the idol’s feet when the arm broke. The child managed to jump away just before the idol fell. He also recalled how a resident of a nearby building, identified as Brijesh Hemant Joshi, was trapped underneath the idol.
“My son pulled him out from under it and rushed him to the hospital,” the witness said, adding that doctors later declared Joshi dead.
A third witness described the incident as happening within seconds. He said devotees had been dancing and singing during the arrival procession when the accident occurred.
“No one even got a second to react,” the witness said, adding that two young men died in the incident.
2 Dead In Tragedy
According to hospital authorities, Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi, 30, were declared brought dead at Reliance Hospital and GT Hospital respectively.
Five others were injured and admitted to GT and JJ hospitals. The injured included two children, aged five and seven, and three adults. They were reported to be in stable condition.
A viral video from the spot shows the immediate aftermath, with devotees desperately attempting to lift the massive idol and rescue those trapped underneath.
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