2 dead, 60 rescued, 18 feared trapped in Maharashtra building collapse
Around 70 people are feared trapped in the debris of a collapsed five-storeyed residential building in Raigad district of Maharashtra. The collapse happened around 7 pm on Monday (August 24). As many as 17 persons were injured in the collapse, reports suggest.
Rescue personnel have so far recovered two bodies while rescuing more than 60 people from the debris of a collapsed five-storeyed house in Kajalpura area of Raigad district, Maharashtra which caved in on Monday (August 24) evening.
The operation to rescue more than 18 people who are still feared trapped is underway, ANI quoted district Collector Nidhi Chaudhari as saying on Tuesday (August 25).
The collapse happened around 7 pm on Monday. As many as 17 persons were injured in the accident.
“The injured are being treated and some have been discharged. Those with serious injuries were taken to Mumbai for advanced treatment. A probe has begun. We want that Special Investigation Team be constituted,” ANI quoted Maharashtra minister Aditi Tatkare as saying.
Maharashtra: Search and rescue operation continues at the spot where a building collapsed in Kajalpura area of Raigad district last evening. As per Raigad District Collector Nidhi Chaudhari, two deaths reported so far, 18 still feared trapped. (Latest visuals) pic.twitter.com/nEgfpVFtJ3
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2020
The building, located at Kajalpura in Mahad tehsil, was around 10 years old and there were 45 flats in it, according to an official.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been moved to the spot for rescue operations.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to the district officials and asked them to expedite the rescue and relief work, another official said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that he has spoken to the director-general of the NDRF and prayed for everyone’s safety.
The collapse of a building in Raigad, Maharashtra is very tragic. Have spoken to DG @NDRFHQ to provide all possible assistance, teams are on the way and will be assisting with the rescue operations as soon as possible. Praying for everyone’s safety.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 24, 2020
A viral video of the collapse showed a plume of dust rising from where the building had stood. Another video showed police trying to control several onlookers gathered at the collapse site.
