The mishap occurred at around 2.00 am when a compound wall bordering forest department land collapsed due to heavy rains, catching the residents unawares. Four rows of hutments, built on a steep slope, were destroyed.

The wall fell on the first row of huts and the resultant debris fell on the second row, forcing it to collapse too, and setting off a chain reaction. However, according to Saraswati Tukaram (40), who suffered minor injuries in the collapse, screams from those who stayed in the first row of huts alerted the other residents, most of whom managed to get away.

It was doomsday though for the Malpekar family who stayed in the first row. The only one who survived the collapse was Swati Malpekar (25). Her two-year-old daughter Priyanka, husband Santosh (27) and mother-in-law Leela (50) could not besaved.

The others who died in the accident are Laksmi Harischandra (40), Hrudaya Gore (18), Rashmi Gore (22) and Lakshman Gore (28).

Residents say that since there was no proper outlet the water had collected behind the wall and the resultant pressure had seeped into the wall's foundation. With the water gushing down at tremendous force, the residents couldn't do much to help. They contacted the police who rushed to the site. Two ambulances were also brought in immediately.

Rescue work however was hampered by the fact that there was no passage for the vehicles to go up the hill. The injured had to be carried down, according to Ashok Rampade, a resident, and were later taken to Bhagwati Hospital.

Fire brigade personnel also came in to help and the rescue work went on till six in the morning, according to residents.