Chembur Tree Fall Tragedy: 11-Year-Old Student Dies, Two BMC Officials Suspended
Chembur Tree Fall Tragedy: 11-Year-Old Student Dies, Two BMC Officials Suspended
A tree crashed onto a school bus in Mumbai’s Chembur, killing one child and injuring four others. The incident has prompted action against civic officials and a statewide tree safety survey.
An 11-year-old boy lost his life and four other children were injured after a large peepal tree fell on a school bus in Mumbai’s Chembur area on June 30. The tragic incident has led to the suspension of two civic officials and prompted the Maharashtra government to order a safety inspection of old roadside trees across the state.
The accident took place on Road No. 11 in Chembur when a school bus of Universal High School was carrying 13 students. The tree suddenly collapsed onto the bus. Eleven-year-old Vihan Srivastav suffered serious injuries and was declared dead at Zen Multispeciality Hospital. Four other students sustained minor injuries and are now in stable condition.
Following the incident, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) suspended Jagdish Bhoir, Assistant Garden Superintendent of M West Ward, and Arun Mundhe, Sub-Engineer in the Roads and Traffic Department, over alleged negligence. A departmental inquiry has been launched, and action has also been ordered against the road contractor responsible for the area.
According to the BMC, the peepal tree was around 60 to 70 years old. Officials said it had been visually inspected on May 12 and was found to be safe. It was also pruned on May 29 as part of the annual pre-monsoon work. However, after the accident, the civic body ordered a fresh inspection of old and potentially dangerous trees across Mumbai.
Residents of the area claimed they had repeatedly complained about top-heavy and unsafe trees but said no action was taken. Their allegations have raised questions about the effectiveness of the city’s pre-monsoon tree inspections.
State School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse announced that a detailed survey of old, weak and risky roadside trees will now be carried out across Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra to prevent such incidents in the future.
State Minister Sanjay Shirsat expressed sorrow over the child’s death and said the government would discuss the matter in the Assembly. However, his statement that tree falls are “beyond human control” was criticised by opposition leaders, who argued that proper maintenance and timely action could have prevented the tragedy.
🔴#BREAKING | 11-year-old Vihaan crushed to death after tree falls in Mumbai; Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat (@SanjayShirsat77) says cannot control nature@awasthiabhi11 @radhika1705 @vedikas pic.twitter.com/oP2avbwGXv
— NDTV (@ndtv) July 1, 2026
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the injured children and their families and assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible. She said the civic administration would not protect officials if complaints about dangerous trees had been ignored.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of old roadside trees, especially near schools, hospitals and other public places, as Mumbai continues to receive heavy monsoon rains.
Disclaimer: The investigation is still underway. Final responsibility and further action will depend on the findings of the official inquiry.
