Mumbai: Multiple structures collapsed on Wednesday night around 11 pm in the New Collector compound, Malad West of Mumbai, which has been witnessing heavy rains for over 24 hours. 11 people have lost their lives and 8 have reportedly been injured due to the incident.
So far, 15 people including women and children have been rescued. 7 people injured in the accident have been admitted to the hospital. The search and rescue operation by the fire brigade is still going on.
Siddiqui, a local resident present at the spot told ANI, "The incident took place around 10:15 pm. I came out after two persons asked us to leave the building. As I was rushing out, I saw three buildings including a dairy had demolished near our building".
BMC has said that this accident happened due to the collapse of a four-storey building. After which two more buildings opposite this building were demolished and 2 children were rescued from there. The BMC says that the building was in a dilapidated condition and the relentless rain just made it collapse.
Shahnawaz Khan, a local told ANI, "It was a 4-storey building sheltering at least 7 people. 5 of them rescued so far. Two more buildings opposite to it were demolished. 2 children rescued from there. Police arrived as soon as we called them followed by the arrival of fire brigade".
Maharashtra Minister Aslam Shaikh who visited the area said, "Buildings have collapsed due to rain. Rescue operation is underway. Injured people have been shifted to the hospital. Debris of the buildings being removed to see if more people are stuck under it".
"Mumbai Police will register a case under Section 304 (2) of IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against the owner of the structure and the contractor. They had recently made some structural changes after cyclone Tauktae,": Vishwas Nangre Patil, Jt CP (Law & Order) informed.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had announced the onset of Southwest Monsoon in Mumbai and its surrounding areas on Wednesday.
Due to the monsoon, heavy rains lashed the country's financial capital and its suburbs in the morning, causing waterlogging at many places and disrupting local train services. According to the IMD, the western suburb of Santa Cruz received 164.8 mm of rain in the six hours from 8:30 am to 2.30 pm.