The fatal collapse of a warehouse in Bhiwandi, managed by private company MRK Foods Pvt Ltd, is currently under scrutiny as local authorities probe potential overloading as a primary cause. The warehouse, which handled imports of branded food products distributed to luxury hotels nationwide, collapsed on Saturday, leading to a tragic loss of eight lives.

A worker at the warehouse revealed that he had cautioned the management about the risks associated with overstocking the facility, but his warnings were disregarded. The exact cause of the collapse remains to be determined, but speculation is growing that the substandard construction material used in the building, constructed in 2014, may also have contributed to the disaster.

Madan Ballal, a senior inspector at Narpoli police station, explained that samples of the construction material have been collected from the debris for forensic examination to ascertain the quality of the materials used in the building.

Udaybhan Yadav, a warehouse worker currently undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during the collapse, corroborated the theory of warehouse overloading. Yadav revealed that the warehouse had received 15 to 20 shipments, each weighing about 22 tonnes, in the preceding 25 days. He alleged that despite his warnings to the management about the building's inability to support such weight, his concerns were dismissed.

Despite repeated efforts, representatives of MRK Foods Pvt Ltd have not provided a comment on the incident. Anonymous officials hypothesize that the excess weight on the upper floors exceeded the load-bearing capacity of the ground floor columns, causing the building to collapse. This, coupled with indications of poor-quality construction materials, paints a grim picture of the situation.

The building's landowner, Indrapal Patil, initially intended to hire a developer for the construction but ultimately undertook the project himself. The term 'pancake collapse' refers to a situation where the upper levels of a building cave in onto the lower floors, causing a stack-like appearance, similar to pancakes. Experts suggest that the chances of finding survivors decrease significantly 24 hours post such a collapse due to the compact nature of the debris.

The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and the Thane Disaster Relief Force (TDRF) concluded the rescue operation last week. By the end of the operation, eight bodies had been retrieved, and ten individuals were rescued from the rubble, all of whom are receiving medical treatment.

Local official Adhik Patil announced that, based on initial accounts from residents, 22 people were presumed to be trapped in the wreckage. However, the whereabouts of four individuals initially missing have now been confirmed. Patil urged anyone with missing relatives to reach out to the authorities, who have liaised with the police to expedite the identification process.

Among the deceased was Ashok Kumar Mishra, a worker for MRK Foods Pvt Ltd. His grieving family, including his pregnant wife and young daughter, reside in Siddharth Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh. The second casualty identified was Dinesh Tiwari, another porter for MRK Foods Pvt Ltd, and the sole provider for his wife and three children.

The illegally constructed building, housing MRK Foods Pvt Ltd's warehouse on the first two floors, was home to several families and workers from various employers. Adhik Patil revealed that the building's owner, Indrapal Patil, had been arrested for unauthorized construction and potentially endangering lives.

The Bhiwandi warehouse collapse exposes a potentially lethal mix of alleged overstocking and substandard construction, resulting in the tragic loss of eight lives. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial to establish clear regulations and oversight for warehouses and similar structures, to prevent such incidents in the future. It is a stern reminder that disregard for building codes and safety regulations can lead to devastating outcomes.

MRK Foods Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Bhandup, specializes in importing foreign food products, such as Spanish olive oil and Italian truffles, catering predominantly to high-end hotels. According to its website, the company supplies to 80% of five-star hotels in Mumbai and 75% outside Mumbai, including renowned hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, Oberoi, and the Taj Group. With offices in seven cities across India, the company has built an extensive distribution network, which is now under scrutiny following the tragic incident.

The managing director of the company, Dhiraj Dama, has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident. As the company faces a rigorous investigation and potential legal battles, it is hoped that this tragic incident will bring about increased awareness of the importance of adherence to safety regulations in the construction and management of warehouses across the nation.

This story was first published by Hindustan Times