India, June 13 -- A major tragedy was narrowly averted at one of the city's newest public attractions on Friday morning, when a massive branch from a century-old Elephant Earpod tree crashed onto the Malabar Hill Nature Trail, just minutes after around 30-35 visitors had passed by the spot.

The incident occurred around 6.45 am, when a huge primary branch of the tree suddenly gave way and fell onto a section near the entrance of the 485-metre-long trail. No injuries were reported, but civic officials acknowledged that the outcome could have been disastrous had the visitors been standing beneath the tree when the branch collapsed.

"Around 30 to 35 visitors were present on the trail, but were fortunately at the dead-end section, which help...