Mumbai Ganeshotsav Tragedy: 19-Year-Old Dies of Electric Shock at Jogeshwari Immersion Pond

A 19-year-old volunteer died after suffering an electric shock inside an artificial idol immersion pond during Ganeshotsav 2026 in Mumbai’s Jogeshwari East, officials said. The incident took place at around 1.10 am on Sunday, September 20, in the Shyam Nagar area. The deceased was identified as Rohit Rathod, who was working at the immersion site through a third-party contractor.

According to police and civic officials, Rathod entered one of the artificial ponds after four of the five ponds at the site had been closed after midnight, Mid Day reported. He suffered an electric shock and was taken to a trauma care hospital, where he was declared dead. Meghwadi Police have registered an Accidental Death Report and are investigating what caused the electrocution. Mumbai: 2 Dead including 8-Year-Old Girl After Electric Shock Near Ganapati Pandal in Lalbaug.

Teen Dies of Electric Shock at Jogeshwari Immersion Pond

Teen Dies At Artificial Immersion Pond

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at an artificial immersion facility in Shyam Nagar, Jogeshwari East. Police said the electric shock occurred at around 1.10 am when Rathod entered one of the artificial ponds. The BMC said five artificial immersion ponds had been set up at the location, with four having been closed after midnight.

According to the civic body, the incident occurred when a worker appointed by the contractor entered one of the ponds that had already been closed. Rathod suffered an electric shock and was subsequently taken to a trauma care hospital, where he was declared dead. Mumbai: Man Dies of Heart Attack in Lalbaugcha Raja Darshan Queue.

Victim Was Working As A Volunteer

DCP West, Zone 3, Datta Kisan Nalawade, said Rathod was working as a volunteer at the immersion pond. He had been hired through a third-party contractor to work at the site during the festival arrangements.

“The post-mortem has been conducted and an Accidental Death Report (ADR) has been registered at Meghwadi Police Station,” DCP Nalawade said. The post-mortem examination has been completed as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Police have launched an investigation into what caused the fatal electric shock at the artificial pond. Authorities are examining the arrangements at the site and the circumstances in which Rathod entered the closed immersion pond.

“The investigation is underway into what caused the electric shock. The reason has not yet been established,” the police official said. At this stage, police have not established what electrical fault or other factor led to the electrocution.

Artificial Pond Shut After Incident

Following the incident, Meghwadi Police shut the artificial pond and stopped further Ganpati idol immersions at the location. The closure was ordered while police investigate the circumstances surrounding Rathod’s death.

Investigators are examining the arrangements at the immersion facility, including the conditions at the pond and events leading up to the electric shock. The investigation remains underway, while the police continue to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2026 09:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).