Mumbai : At least six people were killed after a four-storey residential building collapsed in Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi late Thursday night, with several others feared trapped under the debris, officials said. The building, which had 48 rooms — 12 on each floor — came crashing down at around 11.30 pm. The civic authorities had previously declared the structure dangerous, and repair work was underway when it collapsed.
Around 9 pm, they heard loud cracking sounds and alerted the authorities. Several families were evacuated from the building, but while some residents were still making their way out, the structure’s B Wing suddenly gave way. Fire officials said six bodies have been recovered from the rubble so far. Most of the victims are believed to be workers engaged in repair work at the building. Six people have also been rescued, while an injured boy was pulled from the debris and rushed to a nearby hospital.
Multiple agencies are involved in the rescue effort, including teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), the local fire brigade and police. A dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances and heavy earth-moving machinery have also been deployed at the site. Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation Assistant Municipal Commissioner Arvind Ghogare said officials rushed to the spot after receiving information that the building had developed cracks.
According to Ghogare, most residents left after being asked to evacuate, although some women initially wanted to stay back to eat. He added that the building, which was just over a decade old, was undergoing illegal repair work at the time. While residents were being evacuated, however, the workers carrying out the repairs remained inside. Ghogare said around five workers were believed to be trapped when the building collapsed, just minutes after officials and residents had moved out.
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