Saturday 11 / May / 2024
Mumbai: Five people were killed and over 40 people are feared trapped under rubble after a building collapsed as heavy monsoon rains lashed Mumbai on Tuesday.
Two teams from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as well as local volunteers, the fire department and police officials are scouring the rubble for survivors.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his condolences. "Collapse of a building in Mumbai’s Dongri is anguishing. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I hope the injured recover soon. Maharashtra Government, NDRF and local authorities are working on rescue operations & assisting those in need”.
The Kesarbai building (as it is colloquially referred to) collapsed at around 11.40 am and is located in Tandel Street, Dongri. The building was more than a century old and had 10 families living inside despite its dilapidated condition.
Congress leader Milind Deora termed the building collapse in Dongri "unfortunate" and urged citizens to question the government as to why such incidents keep happening year after year.
The Director General of the NDRF, SN Pradhan, said three teams of NDRF are currently engaged in rescue operations.
"The pathway to the collapsed building is very narrow and the vehicles with rescue equipment are unable to reach there. The team is carrying equipment on foot," he said
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said compensation for the victims of the incident will be announced once the causes behind the collapse are clear.
