Mumbai hoarding collapse: The death count has risen to 14 and over 70 sustained injuries after a 100-foot tall billboard fell on a petrol pump in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area while an under-construction metal tower collapsed on a road amid gusty winds in Wadala on Monday evening. As many as 88 people have been rescued do far and at least 31 of them have been discharged from the hospital. According to civic officials, the billboard was illegal which got uprooted and fell on a petrol pump at the Cheddanagar Junction in Ghatkopar amid gusty wind and rain.
Almost all bodies have been taken out: NDRF
Speaking to the media, an NDRF Aapda Mitra Rescuer said that around 80 people have been rescued safely and almost all the bodies have been taken out. "There is one red car which has been severely damaged, we suspect there are some people trapped inside the car," he told news agency ANI. The unseasonal rain and dust storms also led to the suspension of flight operations at Mumbai airport for an hour in the evening due to low visibility, services of local trains were delayed while traffic snarls were seen in several areas. As many as 15 flights were diverted to different airports and the runways operation resumed at 5.03 pm, the airport operator said.
Mumbai Police registers FIR
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police registered a case against the owner of Ego Media and others following the fatal incident. The owner, Bhavesh Bhinde, and others were booked under sections 304 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 337 (causing hurt to another person by acting rashly or negligently) of the Indian Penal Code. The case has been registered at Pantnagar police station and the investigation is underway, an official said.
CM Shinde announces ex-gratia
Taking cognizance of the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde termed it 'unfortunate' and directed the concerned authorities to audit all such hoardings in Mumbai. He also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the victims' next of kin. CM Shinde also said that the government will bear all expenses for the treatment of those injured. "It is a very unfortunate incident. The government will probe it, and the people responsible will face action. I have also asked the BMC commissioner to conduct a structural audit of all the hoardings in the city. Those found illegal and dangerous will be removed," the CM told the media.
President Murmu reacts to incident
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu said she was extremely sad to know about casualties due to a hoarding collapse in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. "The news of several casualties due to the collapse of a hoarding in Ghatkopar area of Mumbai is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and wish for the success of the relief and rescue operations," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi.
(With inputs from agencies)
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