NEW DELHI, June 28: At least 19 people have been killed and scores of others injured in a building collapse in Naik Nagar locality in Kurla East in Mumbai.
The four-storyed building collapsed late on Monday night and even hours after, evacuation and rescue operations to extricate people was still on as more people are believed to trapped under the debris, the officials said. Five people are undergoing treatment, while nine have been discharged from the hospital, officials added.
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the victims, the CMO said.
After the incident was reported at around 12 am, a team of fire brigade and police reached the spot immediately to carry out rescue operations.
Speaking to reporters, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) corporator Pravina Morajkar said, “A four storey building collapsed in Naik Nagar. Fire brigade team and the police at the spot as the rescue operation continues.” At the time she had said “20 to 25 are likely to be trapped under the debris.”
Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray visited the incident site. Calling it “unfortunate”, Thackeray said “whenever the BMC issues notices, buildings should be vacated, otherwise such incidents happen”. He further stressed on taking action over the building collapse.
“All four buildings were issued notices, but people continue to live there. Our priority is to rescue everyone. We will look into the evacuation and demolition of these buildings so that nearby people are not troubled,” he said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
