Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: Death toll reaches 14

Mumbai (Maharashtra): The death toll after a big hoarding collapsed in Maharashtra's Ghatkopar area has risen to 14 on Tuesday.

According to the National Disaster Rescue Force, 74 people have been rescued alive from the spot, while 14 have been declared dead. The count of total victims stands at 88.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been conducting rescue operation for those trapped since Monday evening, when the incident happened due to heavy rains and strong winds.

NDRF Inspector Gaurav Chauhan told ANI, "The incident was reported at around 5 pm. A huge advertising hoarding fell on a petrol pump. Around 65 people have been rescued. NDRF has rescued three people and located four dead bodies under the rubble. We are unable to use hydraulic and gasoline equipment to avoid any fire incident. We are using cranes to remove the debris. NDRF has rescued three victims. Before that 65 had been rescued. The rescue operations will continue till the morning."

Notably, Mumbai police have registered a case under IPC 304, 338, 337, and 34 against owner Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Shinde also said that the government will bear all expenses for the treatment of those injured.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar have condoled the deaths of eight people and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

(ANI)