Hundreds Mourn Bhuleshwar Mandal Chief After Fatal Ganesh Idol Collapse in Mumbai

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Bhuleshwar on Sunday for the funeral procession of Sanket Nevshe, the 33-year-old president of the Bhuleshwar Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, a day after a 22-foot-tall Ganesh idol collapsed and claimed two lives.

The fatal incident occurred around 9:50 pm on Saturday near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk on Balaram Merchant Road in Bhuleshwar. According to the BMC Disaster Management Cell, the massive Bhuleshwar Cha Raja idol lost balance and crashed onto devotees during its arrival procession.

The accident claimed the lives of Nevshe and 30-year-old Brijesh Hemant Joshi. Five other people, including two young girls, sustained injuries in the collapse and were admitted to GT and JJ hospitals. Hospital authorities confirmed that the injured are in stable condition.

On Sunday, Nevshe's mortal remains were transported through the streets of Bhuleshwar in a flower-decorated vehicle. A large crowd followed the procession through the neighbourhood to pay their final respects.

Witnesses recounted the moments leading to the tragedy as the idol was arriving from Thakurdwar and nearing the pandal. Amid loud drums and music, devotees were asked to move aside before the idol suddenly toppled, giving people no time to react.

One eyewitness stated that the idol's arm broke first before the entire structure collapsed. His young grandson, who was sitting near the base of the idol, managed to jump clear just moments before the structure fell. Joshi was trapped underneath the debris and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The V.P. Road Police have launched an investigation into the incident. A preliminary probe points to a potential technical failure in the idol's support mechanism during transit, and officers are examining whether safety lapses or negligence led to the collapse.