Raigad building collapse: 11 dead, many missing as rescue ops continue

Rescue operations underway after a five-storeyed residential building collapsed in Raigad district of Maharashtra. Pic/AFP

Eleven persons died and many are still missing after a five-storey building collapsed in a residential area of Mahad in Maharashtra's Raigad district, an official said on Tuesday.

The Tarique Garden building, which was around 10 years old, collapsed at Kajalpura in Mahad tehsil around 7 pm on Monday, the official said. There were around 40 flats in the building, the official said, adding those rescued were shifted to a local hospital at Mahad, which is around 170 km from Mumbai.

Earlier Raigad district collector Nidhi Chaudhari had said, "The locals had managed to pull out 8 people from the debris, and injured were taken to nearby hospital, where one man was declared brought dead. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that the deceased was not a resident of the building. He was a passerby and he went into a state of shock witnessing the building collapse."

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were moved to the spot for rescue operations. Rescue teams and canine squads were deployed at the scene of the collapse, an NDRF official said.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to the district officials and asked them to expedite the rescue and relief work, another official said.

Also Read: Raigad Building Collapse: 64-Year-Old Man Searches For Daughter, Three Grandkids

As the building began to collapse, around 70 people in the building ran out and managed to save their lives, the official said. "We also came to know that many families are not residing in the building as they went to their native places due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown," she said.

Raigad District Superintendent of Police Anil Paraskar said PWD department officials and local people were helping in the rescue operation.

A viral video of the collapse showed a plume of dust rising from where the building had stood. Another video showed police trying to control several onlookers gathered at the collapse site.

Saddened by building collapse incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon."

"The collapse of a building in Raigad, Maharashtra is very tragic. Have spoken to DG @NDRFHQ to provide all possible assistance, teams are on the way and will be assisting with the rescue operations as soon as possible. Praying for everyones safety," Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted.

In Mumbai, Leader of Opposition (Council) Pravin Darekar, urged the Maharashtra government to carry out an audit of all old or dilapidated structures to avoid such tragedies.

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly, Devendra Fadnavis expressed shock over the tragedy and prayed for the safety of the people.

Meanwhile, rescue operations remain in full swing with JCBs and cranes working under floodlights even as intermittent rains hampered the work. The building, said to be a little more than six years old, was constructed by two Mumbai-based realtors.

Guardian Minister of Raigad Aditi Tatkare said the building had more than 200 occupants, but being evening hours many may be outdoors or in markets.

"Stringent action will be taken against all those found guilty. We shall also carry out a structural audit of all old and dilapidated structures in the state to prevent recurrences of such tragedies," Minister Shinde said.

(With inputs from agencies and Vinod Kumar Menon)

Keep scrolling to read more news

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news