Mumbai: Nine people have died so far since the four-story Kohinoor Apartments building in Balaji Nagar-Gangaramwadi, Bhiwandi, in Maharashtra’s Thane district, suddenly collapsed last night. Many more are feared trapped under the debris.
Sandeep Mane, the deputy collector of Thane district, said on Friday that all the bodies have not yet been identified. The bodies have been sent to Indira Gandhi Hospital. A search is underway for others trapped in the debris.
It is reported that the municipal fire brigade had difficulty initiating rescue operations due to the narrow streets. An old chawl located on the road was first removed with the help of a JCB, after which the rescue operation could begin.
Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF) reached the spot late and are carrying out relief and rescue operations in collaboration with various agencies including the local fire brigade.
A dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances and heavy earth-moving machinery have been deployed to the scene. Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation Assistant Commissioner Arvind Ghogre said the Kohinoor Apartments was constructed in 2012.
The building had already been declared dangerous and the municipal corporation had issued a notice. Repair work was underway on the ground floor of one wing of the building to repair damaged pillars.
Cracks began to appear in the building around 6 p.m. on Thursday, and at 8 p.m., upon receiving information that it was tilting, he arrived at the scene with his team and the building was evacuated. However, not everyone came out.
The building collapsed late at night. Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation workers are assisting with rescue and relief efforts at the site.
Local MLA Mahesh Chaugule said that teams of NDRF, TDRF and Fire Brigade are jointly engaged in relief and rescue work at the spot and the top priority is to safely evacuate the people trapped in the debris.
Arvind Gupta said that he and his wife managed to escape when the building collapsed, while his daughter, Komal, was trapped under the rubble. Komal has not yet been found, leaving the entire family worried.
Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation Mayor Narayan Chaudhary said temporary housing has been arranged for affected families in nearby community halls and schools. The municipal corporation has expedited the evacuation process of other dangerous buildings in the city.