Seven lives have been lost, including those of two children, after a landslide struck a densely populated settlement in Mumbai's Kurla West in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving families grappling with a devastating loss amid heavy rainfall.

The landslide was reported at Garib Nawab Chawl in Ashok Nagar, near Rathod Medical in Chirag Nagar, at around 3:38 am on August 12.

Several people were feared trapped beneath the debris, triggering a major rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force, Mumbai Fire Brigade and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

By 9 pm, authorities had accounted for 11 people at the site. Seven bodies had been recovered from the debris, while four people were evacuated alive.

Five of the seven bodies were retrieved after NDRF personnel reached the affected area.

The deceased have been identified as Mohamad Samir Ansari, 14, Sahil Husen Abdul Kazi, 19, Aban Arif Shaikh, 2, Manat Arif Shaik, 4, Marjina Arif Shaikh, 27, and Viket Ramesh Yadav, 27. One more victim, aged around 45, was yet to be identified.

NDRF team, sniffer dog join search

NDRF Team 5F of the 5th Battalion, which had been stationed at Ghatkopar for monsoon duty, was rushed to the site along with its sniffer dog, Jessy.

Rescue personnel began collapsed-structure search and rescue operations in coordination with the BMC and Mumbai Fire Brigade.

Teams worked through the debris systematically, searching for signs of anyone who could still be trapped underneath.

The NDRF said search and recovery operations were continuing as personnel worked to determine whether any other victims remained buried beneath the rubble.

The incident has once again highlighted the danger faced by people living in vulnerable settlements during Mumbai's intense monsoon spells, with rescue teams continuing their painstaking search at the affected site.

Compensation announced

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Twade announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of those who died in the landslide. Those injured in the incident will receive Rs 50,000 each.