9 dead after four-storey building collapses in Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi

At least nine persons were killed after a four-storey building collapsed in Bhiwandi in Maharashtra’s Thane district, officials said on Friday. Four to five persons are believed to be trapped under the rubble as search and rescue operations continue.

A portion of the Kohinoor Building in the Balaji Nagar area of the powerloom town collapsed at around 11.30 pm on Thursday, officials said.

“At least eight persons were killed. The bodies have been sent to a government hospital for postmortem. Four to five persons are believed to be still trapped under the rubble, and a search and rescue operation is underway,” Resident Deputy Collector Sandeep Mane said.

An injured minor was rescued from the debris and taken to a nearby hospital, he added.

Municipal officials said the structure had 48 rooms, with 12 rooms on each floor. The civic body had declared the building dangerous. The collapse occurred while repair work was underway.

According to an official, residents heard “loud cracking sounds” coming from the structure at around 9 pm on Thursday.

Fearing the building could collapse, local residents helped evacuate several families. However, while some occupants were still leaving the premises, the building’s ‘B’ wing collapsed, the official said.

A multi-agency rescue operation is underway with teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Thane Disaster Response Force and the local fire brigade.

A dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances and heavy earth-moving machinery have been deployed at the site.

Officials said that with this incident, at least 27 persons have died and 20 others have been injured in rain-related incidents in Thane district during this monsoon.