Pune, 10th July 2026: Rescue operations are continuing on a war footing at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) Moshi Waste-to-Energy plant, where a massive garbage mound collapsed onto the project's administrative building.
More than 40 hours after the accident, emergency teams are still working to rescue workers believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
According to PCMC Commissioner Vijay Suryavanshi, 23 people were inside the building when the collapse occurred. Rescue teams have so far pulled 16 people out alive, all of whom sustained injuries and were shifted to hospitals for treatment. The search is continuing for the remaining trapped workers.
Initially, authorities considered demolishing parts of the damaged building to reach those trapped. However, the plan was abandoned after experts warned that it could further weaken the structure and endanger both survivors and rescuers.
Instead, teams are first clearing the massive pile of garbage surrounding the building to create safe access. Heavy machinery, including garbage excavators and Poklen machines, worked throughout the night to remove waste.
Officials said debris removal continued outside the structure overnight, while no excavation was carried out inside the building during the night due to safety concerns.
Eight rescued workers were admitted to Sainath Hospital. Four have already been discharged after receiving treatment.
Among the remaining patients, two are in the intensive care unit (ICU). One suffered serious chest and abdominal injuries, while another underwent successful surgery for a severe leg injury. Doctors said both continue to receive close medical attention.
Authorities had hoped to complete the rescue operation by late Thursday night, but the difficult conditions and the enormous volume of garbage have slowed progress. Multiple agencies remain deployed at the site, with rescue teams continuing their efforts around the clock to locate and evacuate the remaining trapped workers.
Relatives of the trapped workers have alleged that rescue operations were halted around 3 a.m. and claimed that no senior administrative officials were present at the site during that period. Authorities have not yet responded publicly to these allegations.