Garbage Heap Collapse Kills Nine at Waste-to-Energy Plant in India’s Pune

PUNE, India: (News Desk) – At least nine workers lost their lives after a massive garbage heap collapsed onto an administrative building at a waste-to-energy plant on the outskirts of Pune, western India, following heavy monsoon rains.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Antony Waste plant when thousands of tonnes of waste from a nearby landfill suddenly gave way, burying the building where 23 employees were present.

According to the company operating the facility, the collapse was triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, which destabilized the adjacent landfill. Nine workers were killed, while the remaining 14 were rescued alive during a challenging rescue operation.

Emergency teams faced difficulties in reaching those trapped due to persistent rainfall and unstable debris. Authorities have temporarily suspended operations at the plant while structural integrity and safety assessments are carried out.

Building and infrastructure accidents are common during India’s June-to-September monsoon season, as prolonged rainfall often weakens aging structures and increases the risk of landslides.

Scientists have warned that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense extreme weather events across India. Meteorologists also say the development of a strong El Niño weather pattern could further disrupt normal weather conditions in the region.