Mumbai: Death toll in hoarding collapse incident rises to 14
The number of people killed in May 13 hoarding collapse incident in Ghatkopar, Mumbai increased to 14. According to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 74 people were rescued with injuries.
Unseasonal rainfall and duststorms that caused mayhem across the city may have contributed to the collapse of a 100-foot illegal billboard on a petrol pump at the Cheddanagar Junction.
#Ghatkopar hoarding crash: 14 dead & 74 injured.#Mumbai #MumbaiWeather pic.twitter.com/vtoqLZgnqV
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) May 14, 2024
Also read: Mumbai rains: 7 injured after massive hoarding falls in Ghatkopar area amid duststorm
The Mumbai police filed a complaint under IPC 304, 338, 337, and 34 against Bhavesh Bhide, the hoarding’s owner, and others at the Pantnagar police station.
“I was there when some builder’s hoarding collapsed, every car, bike, and person got stuck. We assisted peopele in getting out and managing to flee,” Swapnil Khupte told ANI.
Commissioner of Mumbai police Vivek Phansalkar promised the public that anyone responsible for the tragedy will face severe consequences. In a post on X, he stated, “Heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate mishap at Ghatkopar today. The Mumbai Police team is on the spot in the rescue operation. ” He added, “We assure citizens that stringent legal action will be taken against those responsible for this mishap.”
Heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate mishap at Ghatkopar today. @MumbaiPolice team is on the spot in the rescue operation. We assure citizens that stringent legal action will be taken against those responsible for this mishap.
— पोलीस आयुक्त, बृहन्मुंबई – CP Mumbai Police (@CPMumbaiPolice) May 13, 2024
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Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared that the state government would bear all costs for those injured in the billboard collapse and that the next of kin of the dead would receive an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed his condolences for the loss of the deceased in the incident on social media site X.
The post read, “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. She added, “I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured and wish for the success of the relief and rescue operations.”
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Heavy rains, duststorm hit Mumbai yesterday
The first rains of the season arrived in Mumbai yesterday around 3 p.m., along with a tremendous dust storm that turned the sky dark. While the residents of Mumbai and the surrounding area were relieved of heat by rainfall, but the metropolitan’s skyline was surrounded by dusty winds.
As commuters sought shelter during the storm, the abrupt shift in the weather caused traffic to come to a complete stop.
