New Delhi: The death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse rose to eight on Monday as the rescue operations were declared closed after 45 hours, according to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), reported ANI,
A two-story building collapsed in the Bhiwandi area of Maharashtra's Thane district on Saturday afternoon, trapping several people beneath the rubble.
Earlier, on Monday early morning, NDRF officials said that as many as two labourers were feared to be trapped under the debris of the collapsed building, amongst others.
"Two labourers are suspected to be trapped under debris. The rescue operation is still on for the last 34 hours. At present 4 teams of NDRF are working under NDRF Commander Deepak Tiwari," ANI reported citing NDRF officials.
NDRF officials further mentioned that four teams were working on the site of the incident under NDRF Commander Deepak Tiwari.
OWNER OF THE BUILDING DETAINED:
The owner of the ill-fated Wardhaman Compound in Valpada, Mankoli, has been arrested, news agency PTI reported citing officials. The building, which housed godowns on the ground and first floors and four families on the top floor, collapsed at 1:45 pm on Saturday.
According to Bhiwandi Deputy Commissioner of Police Navnath Dhavle, structure owner Indrapal Patil has been charged with various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Patil has been detained for questioning in connection with the incident, the official said.
The incident was described as "most unfortunate" by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who visited the collapse site as well as the injured people being treated at Bhiwandi's IGM Hospital late Saturday night.
According to a civic official, the building was about ten years old and could not support the weight of a mobile tower that had recently been installed on top of it.