Kurla West tree collapse kills 63-year-old man, Mayor orders audit
A 63-year-old man was killed on Sunday afternoon after a tree collapsed on his shop in the Naupada locality of Kurla West, Mumbai. The incident, which occurred around 12:40 PM near the Hindi BMC School during heavy rainfall, prompted Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde to announce a Rs 5 lakh ex gratia compensation for the victim's family and order a safety audit of old trees across the city.
The victim, identified as Yunus Kundawala, was struck by the falling tree just as he was opening his shop. Emergency responders extricated Kundawala from the debris and rushed him to Fauzia Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Mayor Tawde termed the incident "extremely tragic and painful" and expressed condolences to the family. She revealed that the local corporator had previously written to the civic administration twice, warning that the tree was in a dangerous condition. An investigation has now been launched to determine why these warnings were ignored and why no preventive action was taken.
"The victim had come here to open his shop when a tree branch fell on him, resulting in his death. We stand with his family," Tawde said. "Our local corporator had written to the administration twice, warning that the tree was in a dangerous condition. Why no action was taken will be investigated."
In response to the tragedy, the Mayor directed civic officials to conduct an audit of old trees across Mumbai, with a particular focus on those standing along concretised roads. She stated that wherever negligence or lack of action is warranted, appropriate action will be taken.
As heavy rainfall and strong winds continue to batter Mumbai, Tawde urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. She appealed to residents to stay away from trees and electric poles, and to avoid parking their vehicles beneath trees, noting that multiple tree-fall incidents have been reported across the city.
Local authorities have also advised citizens to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary, citing ongoing risks from waterlogging, strong winds, and falling trees.
