Mumbai: Nine people have died and 23 injured after a four-storey residential building collapsed on Friday at Dockyard road in south Mumbai. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team confirmed that 8 people have been rescued while some people are still feared trapped in the debris.
The building was owned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The incident occurred at around 6 am near the Babugenu market, fire officials said. Four ambulances and 12 fire engines have been placed at the spot.
The people who were rescued from the debris have been admitted to the government-run JJ hospital.
Locals said they had demanded that the building be repaired as far back as 2007 but the appeals fall on deaf ears.
Rescued residents said cracks had been developing on the walls for a long time now. Three of the four storeys of the buildings were said to be occupied.
Rescue efforts are on in full swing, with two NDRF teams pressed into service.
BMC Commissioner Sitaram Kunte said, "There were 22 families living in the building and our priority is to rescue them. As for when this building was last repaired and other details, we will find out and let the media know. When we ask that a building be vacated, only with everyone's cooperation can we avoid such situations."
Shantha, a resident, said, "The MCD only put a bamboo pillar. They said the building could collapse but did not help."
A local Shiv Sena worker said there was a godown in the ground floor of the residential BMC quarters and some repair work was in progress.
(With additional information from PTI)
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