Mumbai/Pune: Maharashtra’s Dahi Handi celebrations turned tragic on Saturday, with over 300 Govindas injured across Mumbai, a seven-year-old boy killed in Malvani and a 45-year-old woman dying in Pune after separate accidents linked to the festivities.
According to the latest information received from government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) hospitals till 11.49 pm, over 300 Govindas had been treated for injuries in Mumbai.
Earlier in the day, the injury count had stood at 32, highlighting how rapidly the number rose as celebrations continued. A BMC-linked update at 6 pm had reported 118 injured Govindas.
7-Year-Old Dies in Malvani
The most serious incident in Mumbai occurred around 3.01 pm at Ekta Welfare Society in Chikuwadi, Malvani.
Seven-year-old Rudra Kadam suffered fatal head injuries after a brick column collapsed during a local Dahi Handi celebration involving children. According to civic officials, the Dahi Handi was suspended with a rope tied between a tree and a brick column supporting a ground-floor structure. The column reportedly gave way when the children attempted to break the handi.
Rudra was rushed to Malvani General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police and civic officials were mobilised, and an inquiry into the incident is underway.
🇮🇳 🏗️ Fatal collapse after Pune festival
A 45-year-old woman, Salma Salauddin Pathan, died Friday night in Old Sangvi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, when part of an iron arch built for a Dahi Handi event by the Vighnaharta Mandal fell while workers were taking it down. Her husband had called…— ULTIMAHORAENX (@ULTIMAHORAENX) September 5, 2026
Pune Woman Killed During Dismantling
In Old Sangvi, Pune, 45-year-old Salma Salauddin Pathan died after part of a temporary iron structure erected for a Dahi Handi event collapsed while workers were dismantling it on Friday night.
Police said the structure came down around 10 pm, striking Pathan on the head. She was rushed to hospital but succumbed to her injuries. The Sangvi police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and are investigating whether any negligence was involved.
Police have also clarified that the fatal object was an iron rod/part of the temporary arch, rather than a sound speaker as initially reported in some accounts.
Safety Concerns in Focus
The incidents have renewed concerns over safety arrangements at Dahi Handi venues, particularly the use of temporary structures and arrangements involving children.
The BMC had already placed its hospitals on alert for the festival, with more than 100 beds prepared across major civic hospitals and free treatment announced for injured Govindas.
With the celebrations drawing large crowds and Govinda teams forming multi-tier human pyramids, the accidents have once again brought crowd safety, structural stability and precautionary measures into sharp focus.
