Mumbai: At least four people were killed and 59 wounded Monday when a dust storm, rain, and strong winds caused a large iron hoarding to collapse on a petrol pump in Mumbai’s eastern suburb of Ghatkopar.
The incident occurred around 4:30 pm near Ghatkopar’s Chheda Nagar Gymkhana. According to authorities, about 60 people have been rescued so far while 100 more are feared trapped.
Those rescued have been admitted to the nearby Rajawadi Hospital.
Calling the incident unfortunate, Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde said that people found to be behind it will be charged with culpable homicide. “The priority right now is rescuing those that are trapped,” he told the media, announcing a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for those killed in the incident.
The chief minister also promised structural audits of hoardings in Mumbai. “Those (hoardings found to be) without the requisite licence will be removed and action will be taken,” he said.
In its statement, Mumbai’s civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) called the hoarding “illegal” and said there were four in the area — including the one that collapsed.
It also said permission for the hoardings had been given by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Admin) under the Commissioner of Police (Railways).
The statement added that while the BMC usually allows hoardings that measure 40 x40 sq. ft, the one that collapsed was 120×120 sq. ft. No permission/NOC of BMC/was /is taken by agency/railways before installing the hoardings, the statement said.
The civic body later posted an update about the incident on X.
Due to speedy winds in Mumbai, a hoarding collapsed in the Chheda Nagar area of Ghatkopar, today evening.
Rescue operations are currently underway in co-ordination with various agencies including BMC's Mumbai Fire Brigade, N Ward Office, Mumbai Police, 108 Ambulance Service,…
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) May 13, 2024
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority — Mumbai’s planning authority — said in a statement that a team of 60 personnel had been dispatched to aid the rescue operations. The team is equipped with “essential machinery and tools, including 4 Hydra cranes, 500 metric ton cranes-2no and 4 gas cutters”, the statement said.
A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team also joined the operation.
By Tuesday morning, the death toll had risen to 14, with at least 43 others still undergoing treatment for injuries.
This is an updated version of the report
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