So far, 10 people have been pulled out alive from the debris, with minor to severe head injuries; residents have cited Shiv Sena leader Sunil Shitap's illegal alterations for constructing a hospital as the reason for the collapse
This photo taken at 10.10 pm on Tuesday shows the stand-off between personnel of the National Defence Rescue Force on the left in orange suits, and the men of the Mumbai Fire Brigade on the right in blue. The victim, who remained buried alive at the time of going to press, is not seen in the photo. Pics/Shadab Khan
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In what appears to be a repeat of Borivli's Laxmi Chhaya building collapse, a tragedy struck Ghatkopar's Siddhi Sai Apartment on Tuesday morning, killing 12 and injuring 12, which includes two firemen. In 2007, 29 people were killed and 18 injured in the Borivli building crash, which happened due to structural alterations carried out in a jewellery shop on the ground floor.
Firemen and a team from NDRF carry out rescue operations at the site of the Ghatkopar building collapse
In the 35-year-old Siddhi Sai Apartment's case, the culprit has been alleged to be a hospital that was coming up on the ground floor, with major renovation work going on that damaged the pillars of the building, which had three flats on each of its four floors.
The ground floor is reportedly owned by local Shiv Sena functionary Sunil Shitap and his wife Swati.
BMC chief Ajoy Mehta at the spot
Till the time of going to press, teams of the Mumbai Fire Brigade and the National Disaster Relief Force were carrying out rescue operations. Civic officials said it would take one more day to clear all the debris.
Mobilised to action
After the disaster management unit and fire control of the civic body received a collapse call, all resources were mobilised to the spot. The fire department termed it a level IV incident, for which 14 fire engines, two rescue vans and nine ambulances were sent. There were four JCBs, six dumpers, one poclain machine and around 300 labourers and 50-odd officer class staffers working at the spot.
Chief Fire Officer P S Rahangdale said, "Till now, 22 people have been removed from the debris, 75 per cent of which has been cleared."
Rajawadi hospital superintendent Dr Vidya Thakur said, "Around 10 patients were brought to the hospital, most with severe head injuries and cuts on their bodies. Some were discharged after emergency treatment in casualty, while two are in the ICU."
Shitap's hide and seek
Locals said Swati was present at the spot when the incident happened, but she soon disappeared and her phone was found switched off.
A resident from Anandibai Chawl, which is right behind the building, said, "At the time of the incident, Swati Shitap was present near the building. Initially, when some locals and media persons reached the spot, she tried to shoo them away, claiming that the incident was not big."
"After a crowd gathered, she disappeared. Thank god the hospital was vacant for renovation; or who knows how many more would have died!" the resident added.
Former Congress corporator Pravin Chheda alleged, "Shitap was converting the hospital into a guest house. And for that change, he damaged the pillars of the building."
Shitap is not new to controversy, added Chheda. "In April, the BMC had suspended then ward officer Suhanshu Dwivedi of Ghatkopar for allegedly allowing an illegal construction on a recreation ground plot in Ghatkopar West. Dwivedi and Shitap had initiated construction on the plot without its owner's knowledge."
Inputs by Rupsa Chakraborty
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