At least nine persons were killed and eight others were injured when a twin residential structure in a slum pocket in Malvani area of Malad suburbs of Mumbai collapsed as heavy rains continued in coastal Konkan belt of Maharashtra on Thursday.
The Mumbai fire brigade and police mounted a massive rescue operation. The Malwani locality has received over 250 mm rainfall over Wednesday and Thursday.
In the incident, two ground+one structures at Plot No. 72 in New Collector Compound near Malvani Gate No 8 caved in. A total of 17 casualties were taken out from the debris of which nine were declared dead.
A nearby ground+3 structure is in a dangerous condition and residents are being evacuated. The injured persons have been admitted to the Dr BR Ambedkar Shatabdi Hospital.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, accompanied by his son and state Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray, who is the Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban district, visited the hospital and spoke to the victims.
Ports Minister Aslam Shaikh, who is the Mumbai City district Guardian Minister and the local MLA, visited the tragedy site and took a look at the rescue operation. Thackeray announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of victims of the crash.
The victims have been identified as: Arifa Shaikh (9) Jhoni Irrana (13)--- plus nine members of a single family ----- Alfisa S. Siddiqui, an 18-month-old child, Afina S. Siddiqui (6) Sahil S. Sayyed (9) Alisha S. Siddiqui (10) Taher S. Siddiqui (12) Taufik S. Siddiqui (15) Raisabano S. Siddiqui (40), Ishratbano S. Siddiqui (40) and Shafiq M. Siddiqui (45).