As many as 13 people are believed to have died after a century-old building collapsed in south Mumbai’s congested Dongri area on Tuesday. Rescue teams have been frantically trying to save many still trapped under debris. They were, however, able to pull one toddler out of the rubble before taking the baby to a local hospital, where doctors termed the condition of the child as ‘stable.’ The NDRF team have worked all through the night to look for more survivors. They have been able to save at least nine victims including two children.
The building in question is located on Tandel Street in Abdul Hamid Durga.
Reacting to the tragic news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter, “Collapse of a building in Mumbai’s Dongri is anguishing. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I hope the injured recover soon. Maharashtra Government, NDRF and local authorities are working on rescue operations & assisting those in need.”
Collapse of a building in Mumbai’s Dongri is anguishing. My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I hope the injured recover soon. Maharashtra Government, NDRF and local authorities are working on rescue operations & assisting those in need: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 16, 2019
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the rescue teams were attempting to save as many lives as possible and a thorough probe will be launched to find out the reason for this tragedy. “It was a 100-year-old building. It was not in the list of dangerous buildings. A developer was appointed for redevelopment. We will probe if there was any lapse on part of the developer,” Hindustan Times quoted Fadnavis as saying.
Union Home Minister and BJP President Amit Shah tweeted, “The collapse of a building in Dongri, Mumbai is very tragic. My condolences with the bereaved families and prayers for early recovery of those injured. Rescue operations are in full swing. State government, NDRF and local authorities are doing their best to assist people in need.”
The collapse of a building in Dongri, Mumbai is very tragic. My condolences with the bereaved families and prayers for early recovery of those injured. Rescue operations are in full swing. State government, NDRF and local authorities are doing their best to assist people in need.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 16, 2019
There were at least 14-15 families living in the building. Local residents, who first reported the incident just before noon on Tuesday, said that they heard a loud noise at around 11.40 am.