At least 8 persons were killed and ten others injured when a building collapsed in the powerloom town of Bhiwandi. The unfortunate incident took place on Sunday morning amid heavy rains.
Police and fire officials managed to rescue 27 people, police said.
The Kabir building, situated in Garibi Nagar area in Bhiwandi, was said to be in poor condition. At around 9.15 AM, it came crashing down all of a sudden.
Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Commissioner E Ravindra said that the two storey building that collapsed had been declared unfit to live in. The Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation had even served those occupying it an eviction notice, but they had resisted the action. However, residents refused to vacate claiming that they would live on their own risk.”
Ravindran said that the civic body has also pressed for services of the National Disaster Response Force to help with the rescue work.
Continuous showers are making it difficult to clear the rubble and rescue those who were trapped. Three fire brigade vehicles have reached the spot to assist the rescue operations. However, the operations were hampered by the narrow lane leading to the building.
Following the heavy rainfall since early this morning, many low lying areas were waterlogged in Thane city and surrounding areas.
District Collector Dr Mahendra Kalyankar rushed to the site to supervise the relief and rescue operation.
Sunil Zalke, public relations officer of Bhiwandi said: “The building collapsed at 9.30 in the morning. We have rescued 20 people who have suffered injuries and are admitted to various hospitals.
“We fear around eight to ten people are still trapped inside. Nine of the injured were rushed to Thane Civil Hospital where they were being treated for their injuries, he said, adding that one person has been admitted to a hospital in Bhiwandi.
Civic sources said some among those rescued had grievous injuries.
“Some eight to nine families were residing in the building,” locals said.
