A five-storey building collapsed in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Monday, ANI reported. The police said 17 people have been injured and an official told PTI that around 70 are feared trapped under the debris. Official figures, however, are not yet out.
Three teams of National Disaster Response Force have been sent to the spot from Pune. The disaster management authority said the incident took place around 6.50 pm in the Kajalpur area of the district, which has been receiving heavy rainfall for past few days. “About 50 people are feared to be trapped,” NDRF added. “Teams have moved with all the necessary equipment, canine squad etc.”
However, Raigad Guardian Minister Aditi Tatkare told ANI that more than 200 people are feared trapped.
An official said the building was around 10 years old and had 45 flats. Meanwhile, 25 people have been rescued and shifted to a local hospital at Mahad, which is around 170 km from Mumbai.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to the district officials and asked them to expedite the rescue and relief work.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he has spoken to the director general of the NDRF to provide all possible assistance. “The collapse of a building in Raigad, Maharashtra is very tragic,” he tweeted. “Praying for everyone’s safety.”
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!