Mumbai, Aug 31: At least 11 persons died and more than 30 others are still feared trapped after more than a century-old building caved in off the Pakmodia Street in Bhendi Bazaar near the Sir JJ Hospital in south Mumbai on Thursday.
The 117-year-old Husaini Building was redeveloped by the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) controlled by the Bohri Muslim community.
The building caved in like a pack of cards around 0830 hrs with a loud thud - after that smoke and dust billowed out of the debris.
So far, 11 persons including three women have been declared dead at the Sir JJ Hospital. Fifteen persons who were rescued and two firemen are also undergoing treatment. Three of those admitted to the hospital are said to be in critical condition.
Teams of BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority have rushed to the spot.
Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) that were stationed in Mumbai in the wake of Tuesday's heavy downpour too have rushed there. "Recue and relief operations is in progress. There is a sweets manufacturning unit, food preparation unit on the ground floor. Smoke is coming out and so assmell of gas from one side. Residents of two to three adjacant buildings have been vacated," said MFB's chief fire officer Prabhat Rahangdale.
Mumbai mayor Prof. Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta are at the spot supervising the rescue and relief operations.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was briefed about the incident and he has directed officials to extend all possible help to the affected people.
"We are extending all help to the people," said local Congress MLA Amin Patel. "The building is more than a century old and the area is congested," said local BJP corporator Atul Shah.
This ground+6 building housed a total of 13 tenants which included 12 residential and 1 commercial. Out of these, the trust had already shifted 7 families in 2013-14.
MHADA notices dated 28 March, 2011 and 20 May,2011 declaring the building dilapidated were issued along with offer of transit accommodation to the remaining tenants and occupants.
"We are extremely saddened and concerned at this unfortunate incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families," a SBUT spokesperson said.
A probe has been ordered into the incident and housing minister Prakash Mehta and industries minister Subhash Desai said that the exact causes would be known only after the probe is complete. We are extending all help to the injured persons, said health minister Dr Deepak Sawant, who was present at the Sir JJ Hospital.
"The building was up for redevelopment. The project was cleared. Why people have not shifted out and why the redevelopment was delayed would also be probed," minister of state for housing Ravindra Waikar said.
According to eye-witnesses, there was a play school, however, since it opened after 1030 hrs, a bigger tragedy was averted.
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