The death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse in Maharashtra’s Thane district rose to nine on Friday after rescuers recovered another body from the debris of a partially collapsed residential building, even as search operations continued for those feared trapped.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims’ families.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of lives due to the building collapse in Thane, Maharashtra. In this tragic incident, my condolences are with the grieving families. My prayers are that the injured in this accident recover as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the incident.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said nine bodies had been recovered from the rubble so far.
“Nine bodies of victims have been retrieved till now. Operations are still continuing,” the NDRF said, adding that one of its Assistant Commandants sustained injuries during the rescue operation.
The incident occurred between 11 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Thursday when a portion of the B Wing of the ground-plus-four-storey Kohinoor Building in Balaji Nagar, Gangaram Wada, Narapoli, Bhiwandi, collapsed.
According to the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Cell, the building had been declared unsafe by the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation. Repair work was reportedly underway despite the structure being categorised as dangerous.
Residents said they heard cracking sounds between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., prompting neighbours to help evacuate several families before the collapse. However, some occupants who were still inside while trying to leave the building were trapped when the B Wing caved in.
Authorities had earlier said seven to eight people, including Shamji Pal (46), Santosh Pandey alias Munna (42), Miraj Sheikh (35), and several workers yet to be identified, were feared trapped under the debris.
A multi-agency rescue operation involving the NDRF, the Bhiwandi Fire Brigade, Bhoiwada Police, the local administration and a dog squad remained underway at the site. Two ambulances and a JCB machine have also been deployed.
Rescue teams continued to clear the debris in search of survivors.
-ANI
