MUMBAI: A rickety 117-year-old building with residences, godowns and a play school collapsed in the congested Bhendi Bazaar in south Mumbai today, killing 22 people and wounding 12 others, officials said.
Eight to 10 people were still suspected trapped under the rubble of the five-storey structure, they said.
Thirty-four people were pulled out of the massive stone- and-twisted-steel debris of whom 21 were either declared brought dead at the state-run J J Hospital or succumbed during treatment. These included five women.
The tragedy struck barely two days after torrential rain brought the city to its knees, crippling road, rail and air services, inundating homes and leaving at least 10 people dead. Many suspect the downpour caused further damage to the ramshackle structure, causing its crash.
Five fire brigade personnel and an NDRF jawan also sustained injuries during the rescue operations and were shifted to the J J hospital. Two of them were said to be critical, while four others were discharged after treatment.
Fire brigade officials said some nine families lived in the dilapidated Husaini Building, which also housed a play school. The children had a providential escape as the building came crashing down minutes before they arrived. (AGENCIES)
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