Maharashtra: 2 Dead, Several Injured As 5-Storey Building Crashes In Raigad; 18 Still Trapped As Overnight Rescue Ops Continue

Maharashtra Building Collapse: Over 100 people were believed to be trapped under the rubble of the residential building in Raigad. Rescue operations have been going on since last evening.

Raigad Building Collapse: A five-storeyed building in Maharashtra’s Raigad collapsed in Mahad town on Monday evening, claiming two lives and injuring several others. As per latest update from the spot, 18 people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble as an overnight rescue operation is still underway. Rescue operations remained in full swing with JCBs and cranes working under floodlights even as intermittent rains hampered the work. Nearly 200 people lived in the residential building -- Tarique Garden -- situated in Kajalpura area of the town. Over 100 were believed to be trapped when the building collapsed. Maharashtra Ministers Aditi Tatkare & Eknath Shinde arrived at the spot where the building collapsed in Kajalpura area of Raigad district last evening. She said that 3 NDRF teams are working in the operation.One death reported so far. Injured are being treated and some are discharged. Those with serious injuries were taken to Mumbai for advanced treatment. “A probe has begun. We want that Special Investigation Team be constituted,” she said. The building, which had around 45 flats, suddenly came crashing down, said an official from the Raigad Superintendent of Police headquarters, some 170 km south of Mumbai. Relief and rescue teams besides specialised equipment have been rushed to spot to rescue those buried under the debris of the building. The building, said to be around 6 years old, was constructed by two Mumbai-based realtors, and crashed around 6.05 pm, locals said. Guardian Minister of Raigad, Aditi Tatkare said the building had more than 200 occupants, but many residents may have been outdoors or in markets in the evening. The injured were being rushed to private hospitals since the main government hospital in town is a designated Covid-19 hospital, and if necessary, they may be shifted to Panvel or other nearby towns, she added. Also Watch:  In Mumbai, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar discussed the issue with Collector Nidhi Choudhari and Mahad Shiv Sena MLA Bharat M. Gogawale, and directed them to arrange for all help to the victims. Terming the incident as "very tragic", Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that he had spoken to the Director-General of NDRF to provide all assistance. "The collapse of a building in Raigad, Maharashtra is very tragic. Have spoken to DG-NDRF HQ to provide all possible assistance, teams are on the way and will be assisting with the rescue operations as soon as possible. Praying for everyone's safety," Shah tweeted.