At least 19 people died and several others were injured after a four-storey building collapsed late at night on Monday, 27 June, in Mumbai's Naik Nagar at Kurla East.
A wing of the building, located in Kurla's Naik Nagar Society, collapsed around midnight. Officials added that another wing was also likely to crash and was vacated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, he said.
"Pained by the building collapse in Mumbai. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," PM Modi said in a tweet.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, President Ram Nath Kovind took to Twitter to say, "The loss of lives in the Kurla building collapse at Mumbai is extremely disturbing. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. My thoughts and prayers are with them in this hour of grief."
NDRF workers rescue a woman from the site of the four-storey building collapse, at Naik Nagar in Kurla East, Mumbai, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. The incident took place on Monday night.
(Photo: PTI)
Around a dozen fire engines were deployed at the spot for rescue operations, besides two rescue vans and other fire brigade equipment. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were engaged in operations at the site along with civic staff and police.
The injured people were shifted to civic hospitals in Ghatkopar and Sion.
"I have requested the fire bridge and the NDRF to carry out the operation (search and rescue operation) carefully as there could be some people alive inside," Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said.
"Back in 2016, building was listed under C1 category. Later, following an audit, it was reclassified under C2. Following C2 reclassification, it should have been repaired, but it wasn't. I, however, don't think there has been negligence on part of BMC," Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Potnis was quoted as saying by ANI.
Maharashtra Minister Subhash Desai has announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased, while the injured will get free treatment.
Aaditya Thackeray Visits Site
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray visited the site of the collapse. He said that the BMC would probe the cause of the incident.
He said that the collapse was "unfortunate" and added that "whenever the BMC issues notices, buildings should be vacated, otherwise such incidents happen."
"All four buildings were issued notices, but people continue to live there. Our priority is to rescue everyone. We will look into the evacuation and demolition of these buildings so that nearby people are not troubled," he added.
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