19 dead in Navi Mumbai building collapse

Mumbai, Feb 3 (UNI) Nineteen people were feared killed and several others believed to be trapped beneath the rubble after an under-construction building collapsed at Taloja in Navi Mumbai here today.

Fire tenders from Karamboli and Panvel stations have also been pressed into service to facilitate the search and rescue operations on a warfooting, Navi Mumbai fire sources told UNI.

Meanwhile, the administration has sought the assistance of Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel located in the nearby base for speedy clearance of the debris.

The building, at the time of collapse, had a large number of labourers working on it so the exact number of people trapped beneath the debris could not be ascertained, added the fire sources.

The injured are being rushed to nearby hospitals in Panvel and Vashi, while the seriously injured are being shifted to hospitals in Mumbai, said the sources.

Further details are awaited.

UNI