Six die after Mumbai building collapses

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, April 30

At least six persons lost their lives after a ground-plus-two building in the city's red-light district of Kamathipura collapsed this afternoon. Police and fire officials said they were still trying to rescue people trapped in the debris.

According to police, the structure was a commercial building with a factory on the top floors while the ground floor housed a beer bar. The building located on 14th Street of Kamathipura was an old structure and was undergoing repairs when it came down at around 2.30 pm.

“Six persons who were rescued from the debris have been taken to hospital in a serious condition. More people are trapped,” local MLA Amin Patel told reporters at the crash site located near Grant Road station in South Mumbai.

The injured persons have been rushed to the state-run JJ and Nair Hospitals.

Police said the building was located in a busy area and the building was was bustling with people when it suddenly came down.

Expressing concern over the loss of lives in the tragedy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called a meeting of senior officials to get a status report on dilapidated buildings in South Mumbai that faced increased risks from illegal alterations carried out by residents and other occupants.