After heavy, incessant rains lashed Mumbai through the day, leading to severe water-logging at several places and putting dilapidated buildings at risk, a four-storey building in Malvani area of Malad West in Mumbai collapsed on Wednesday night. At least 11 people were killed and seven injured after the structure collapsed, out of which eight were children. Seven others were seriously injured and have been admitted at the BDBA Municipal General Hospital. Search and rescue operations are underway.
According to the BMC disaster management cell, the incident was reported around 11.10 pm from the New Collector compound slum on Abdul Hamid road in Malvani gate no 8 area. The slum pocket has come up on the collector’s land. As many as 18 people have been rescued safely, while seven people have been injured in the incident.
As per the BMC, the collapse engulfed a nearby residential structure. It also affected another residential structure in the area that is now in a “dangerous condition”. The building which is in a dangerous condition has been evacuated.
At the time of the collapse, many people, including some children, were inside the building. The fire brigade arrived soon after the incident. With the help of
the local police and people, fifteen people trapped in the debris were rescued. Debris removal is still underway. Three other buildings nearby are in “dangerous” condition and the residents have been evacuated, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said. Eight fire tenders, one divisional fire officer, BMC ward officer and DMC Disaster Management and local police officers are on spot. There are 6-8 officers on a single fire tender, so there are around 48-64 fire officers on these eight fire tenders.
According to Maharashtra minister Aslam Shaikh, the building collapsed due to heavy rains in the city. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackrey has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a structure collapse in Malad West, Mumbai. Rs 50,000 will be provided to those injured. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an “orange alert” for various districts, including Mumbai, for the next three days.