Mumbai Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: In the early hours of Tuesday, the death toll from a massive hoarding collapse in the Ghatkopar area of Mumbai rose to 14, with at least 74 individuals sustaining injuries. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted continuous rescue operations overnight to rescue those trapped beneath the debris. Amid heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday, a 70-meter billboard collapsed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar, crashing onto a petrol pump at Cheddanagar Junction.
NDRF officials informed that eight bodies have been retrieved from the wreckage, while four more remain buried under the debris. Rescue operations, spearheaded by the NDRF, persisted throughout the night and are ongoing.
“We have located them but we cannot remove them due to this petrol pump and the situation can be hazardous,” the official said.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar expressed their condolences for the lives lost and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. The incident prompted Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to visit the site personally and announce financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased, along with covering medical expenses for 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," President Murmu wrote.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) disclosed that the hoarding was erected unlawfully, without prior permission. Mumbai police have taken legal action against the owner of the hoarding, Bhavesh Bhide, and others involved, registering a case under IPC sections 304, 338, 337, and 34 at the Pantnagar police station.