8 Dead After 3-Storey Building Collapses In Bhiwandi Near Mumbai

Mumbai: Eight people have died and 15-20 others are feared trapped under the debris after a three-storey building collapsed in Bhiwandi near Mumbai today. Twelve people have been rescued.

The incident took place at 5 am in JB Nagar in Bhiwandi. Four fire engines have been rushed to the spot and the NDRF or National Disaster Response Force team has also called in for rescue operations.

Heavy rains were affecting the rescue operation, officials said.

District Collector Dr Mahendra Kalyankar rushed to the site to supervise the relief and rescue operation.

It was yet to be ascertained whether the structure was in the list of dangerous buildings, sources said.

Following the heavy rainfall since early this morning, many low lying areas were waterlogged in Thane city and surrounding areas.

Thane Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal, after visiting the disaster control cell, issued a warning to residents of the city not to step out of their houses unless it was absolutely essential.