Pune Garbage Dump Collapse: Death toll climbs to 8, one person still missing

A garbage dump collapse has claimed eight lives in Pune, while one person remains missing. What caused the deadly cave-in, and why are rescue teams still battling dangerous conditions?

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 12 July 2026, 11:10 AM IST

Death toll rises in Pune garbage dump collapse climbs to 8 (Img: IANS)

Pune: The death toll in the garbage dump collapse at the Moshi Waste-to-Energy project in Pimpri-Chinchwad has risen to eight after rescue teams recovered seven more bodies from the debris of the collapsed administrative building. One person remains missing, and search operations are continuing.

The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when a massive mound of garbage suddenly collapsed onto the administrative building inside the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's Moshi garbage depot, trapping several workers.

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Massive Rescue Operation Continues

A total of 23 people were caught in the incident, including 22 inside the administrative building and one buried beneath a nearby garbage mound. Five people managed to escape immediately, while rescue teams pulled nine survivors from the rubble on the first day.

On Thursday, one trapped worker was rescued but was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, taking the initial death toll to one.

Heavy Machinery Deployed

Rescue efforts faced major challenges due to the unstable structure and the risk of further collapse. Authorities deployed 12 excavators, JCB machines, dumpers and advanced demolition equipment to safely remove debris.

The operation involved the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, PMRDA Fire Services and local police.

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Seven More Bodies Recovered

After controlled demolition under NDRF supervision, rescue teams gained access to the building's interior on Saturday. Seven more victims were found trapped inside and shifted to a hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

Officials said one person is still believed to be buried beneath the garbage mound. NDRF dog squads and specialised search equipment continue to scan the site as the search enters its final phase.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances that led to the collapse once rescue operations conclude.