11 killed in Mumbai building collapse, at least 30 still trapped

Agencies

August 31, 2017

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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Nearly 500 US-Israel backed terrorists, riot ringleaders captured across Iran

News Network

January 20,2026

Iranian security and intelligence forces have captured more than 470 individuals in three provinces, identified as key figures behind the recent wave of violent unrest and terrorist activities linked to foreign-backed networks.

The Intelligence Ministry's provincial office in Khorasan Razavi announced on Monday the arrest of 192 armed terrorists, identified as the main agents behind recent riots in the region.

According to an official statement, the detainees were involved in the killing of several security personnel and civilians, setting fire to mosques, public service facilities, and buses, as well as attacks on military and law enforcement centers.

The seized items from the group include several bulletproof vests, Kalashnikov rifles, hunting weapons, Winchester rifles, and various cold weapons such as daggers, swords, brass knuckles, tactical knives, crossbows, and chains.

Evidence indicates that some of the individuals were tied to hostile movements and terrorist organizations, with links overseas. Others were identified as members of violent criminal gangs, actively taking part in the unrest alongside their associates.

Simultaneously, in the western province of Lorestan, the IRGC announced the arrest of 134 individuals as the main leaders and influential field agents of a US-Israeli terrorist network.

The IRGC statement stated that these individuals formed terrorist cells during the recent unrest, committing "Daesh-like" acts.

They wounded security forces with firearms and cold weapons, and burned and destroyed public and private properties, including mosques, shops, banks, and private and public vehicles.

In the northwestern province of Zanjan, the police reported detaining 150 people identified as principal leaders and agents behind recent riots.

Authorities noted that these individuals were responsible for destroying public and private property and intentionally setting fire to vehicles in the province's squares.

Their crimes include shedding the blood of innocent people, destroying public and private property, attempting to enter military sites, disrupting public order, and spreading terror among citizens.

A variety of cold weapons were reportedly seized from the detainees.

What began late last month as peaceful protests over economic hardship across Iran turned violent after public statements by US and Israeli regime figures encouraged vandalism and disorder.

During the unrest, foreign-backed mercenaries rampaged through cities, killing security forces and civilians and damaging public property.

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