Mumbai building collapse: Death toll rises to 34; rescue operations continue

The building was said to be 125 years old.

Updated: Friday, September 1, 2017, 9:20 [IST]

At least 34 people were killed after a five-storey residential building collapsed on Thursday near JJ junction in Mumbai.

The building was located on Pakmodia street, a narrow lane in the busy Bhendi Bazaar area of South Mumbai. The building was said to be 125 years old.

12 dead in Mumbai building collapse — Fire brigade and NDRF personnel carry out the search and rescue operation following the collapse of building at Pakmodiya Street in south Mumbai on Thursday. PTI

According to media reports, around 35 people are feared to be trapped while 13 have been rescued. It is learnt that the building collapse took place at around 08:30 am. Twelve fire tenders have been rushed to the spot. A National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) team has moved to the building collapse site in Bhindi Bazar.

Fire brigade officials said that another nine people were rescued with injuries from the debris and admitted to the JJ Hospital.

Six officials of the fire department and one from the NDRF also suffered injuries in the operation.

The officials said that eight fire engines, one rescue van and ambulances have been are at the collapse site to assist the personnel in rescue operations.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who visited the collapse site to take stock of the situation, said, "Action will be taken in case of any negligence."

The CM also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh for the kin of those who died in Bhendi Bazaar building collapse.

Commenting on the incident, DCP Zone 1 Dr Manoj Sharma said,''Three people rescued from debris, looking for other survivors. The number of trapped people not confirmed .''

The buildings surrounding the collapsed one have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. Search and rescue operations are underway with the help of local residents.

Earlier on Wednesday, a building collapsed in the metropolitan city's Varsha Nagar area in Vikhroli, leaving one person dead and two injured. In a separate incident, two persons died after a landslide in Vikhroli's Surya Nagar.

They are among the 20 people who lost their lives and a few others who are still missing as the deluge on Tuesday drowned Mumbai and paralysed its entire ecosystem.

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