Ghatkopar building collapse: Death toll rises to 19, Shiv Sena leader detained

It is being suspected that the alleged illegal renovation on the ground floor led to the building's collapse.

The death toll in the Ghatkopar building collapse at Mumbai has risen to 17. Even as rescue operations continued, the police are questioning one Shiv Sena leader in connection with the incident.

On Tuesday morning the Sai Darshan building on Damodar Park on Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg collapsed. Later the Mumbai police detained Shiv Sena leader Sunil Shitap in connection with the incident that took place in Mumbai's suburb Ghatkopar. It was alleged that the renovation work being carried out on the ground floor of the building belonged to the politician.

It is being suspected that the alleged illegal renovation on the ground floor led to the building's collapse.

"Prima facie, it is revealed that the accused was carrying out illegal renovation in the building. Investigation is underway," news agency ANI quoted Mumbai's Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) as saying.

The BMC's disaster management team received a call about the incident at around 10.43 am following which fire brigade and disaster management officials were rushed to the spot.

OneIndia News