Mumbai: 12 dead, 19 injured as residential building collapses in Malad West

Building collapse in Malvani, Malad. Pics/Anurag Ahire

At least 12 people, including eight children, were killed and nineteen others injured after a two-storied residential building collapsed on an adjoining structure in New Collector compound slum on Abdul Hamid road in Malvani at Malad West, Mumbai, late on Wednesday night.

As per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the building collapsed on a nearby residential building and the incident also affected another residential structure that is now in a ‘dangerous condition'. The incident was reported around 11.10 pm.

While 12 persons perished with nine from a single family, a few more persons are still feared trapped under the debris. Residents from affected structures are being evacuated. Search and rescue operation for trapped people is underway.

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The victims have been identified as: Arifa Shaikh, 9, Jhoni Irrana, 13, plus nine members of a single family -- Alfisa S. Siddiqui, 18-month old, Afina S. Siddiqui, 6, Sahil S. Sayyed, 9, Alisha S. Siddiqui, 10, Taher S. Siddiqui, 12, Taufik S. Siddiqui, 15, Raisabano S. Siddiqui, 40, Ishratbano S. Siddiqui, 40, and Shafiq M. Siddiqui, 45.

The injured persons have been shifted to BDBA hospital. "There is a possibility of more people are stuck under the debris. Teams are present here to rescue people," said Vishal Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone 11, Mumbai.

Maharashtra Minister Aslam Shaikh, who reached the incident site, said, "Buildings have collapsed due to rain. Rescue operation is underway. Injured people have been shifted to the hospital. Debris of the buildings is being removed to find out if more people are stuck."

Siddiqui, a local, said the incident took place around 10 pm. "The incident took place at around 10:15 pm. I came out after two persons asked us to leave the building. As I was rushing out, I saw three buildings, including a dairy, collapsed near our building," he said.

The local police and fire brigade officials are carrying out rescue operations. Among those admitted to the hospital, the condition of at least 3 is critical.

Mumbai Police registered a case under IPC Section 304 (2) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against the owner of the structure that collapsed and the contractor. "They had recently made some structural changes after cyclone Tauktae," said Vishwas Nangre Patil, Joint CP (Law and Order).

The contractor has already been taken into custody for an enquiry, he added.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray visited Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivli to meet those injured in the incident. Minister Aaditya Thackeray, BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar were also present.

"Families of the deceased will be given Rs 5 lakh each as compensation," said minister Aslam Shaikh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the loss of lives and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia each for the next of kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

In a condolence message from the prime minister, his office tweeted, "Pained by the loss of lives due to the collapse of a structure in Malad West, Mumbai. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest."

A sum of Rs 50,000 would be provided to each of the injured, Modi said.

(With agency inputs)