6 dead, 2 hurt in building collapse

Firemen and rescue workers search for people trapped in the rubble of a three-storey building that collapsed at Kamathipura. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Six people were killed and two grievously injured when a three-storey building collapsed in Kamathipura area of Grant Road on Saturday afternoon. The building was undergoing repair work, which was being carried out by Mhada.

According to fire officials, the building, which was over a hundred years old, housed a beer bar on the ground floor and couple of embroidery factories. It collapsed like a pack of cards at around 2 pm, trapping people, who were working inside. They were rescued from the debris of the building and admitted to Nair and JJ Hospitals.

The deceased have been identified as Jabaz Mulla (30), Sarful Mulla (28), Angad Choube (45) and Wasim Vistan Mullah Khan (14), who were declared dead at JJ Hospital. Two others died at Nair Hospital, but their identity is still not known. Most of them were labourers working for the repair works. The condition of the two inured is said to be critical.

Nazural Sheikh and Minarul Sheikh, who were working as labourers, thanked their stars for escaping unscathed. “We had just left the building for lunch when we heard a large thud only to see that the entire building had collapsed. We just cannot believe that we are alive,” they said.

However, Mhada officials denied that the building, though 100 years old, was dilapidated. “I have personally visited the spot and the building was not at all in a dilapidated condition or was to be declared dilapidated. We have initiated an inquiry in the matter and the report of the same will be ready in three days. However, it was said that there was some road repair work being carried out by the BMC and there are chances that owing to the vibrations, the building suddenly collapsed. But nothing can be confirmed till the report is out,” said Sumant Bhange, chief executive officer (CEO), Mhada Repair and Redevelopment Board.

But local people insisted that the building was in a dangerous condition. Kamathipura resident Sachin Shetty said, “The building was in a dilapidated condition for the last couple of years.

We had also witnessed instancesof some parts of the building falling off in the past. However, despite making several complaints, the Mhada undertook the repair works only recently.”

Eight fire engines and three ambulances were pressed into the rescue operation. The search operation was over by 8 pm and debris removal will be carried on throughout the night, said a fire official.