At least 28 people have died and over 60 injured after an seven-storied under-construction building collapsed, in Thane on Thursday evening.
The incident took place near Shil Phata at around 6.30 pm. The death toll cannot be confirmed now as many more are feared trapped under the collapsed building. Rescuers began search operations early Friday
"A section of an under-construction, seven-storey building collapsed suddenly at around 6.30pm," a police official in Thane, Maharashtra state, told AFP.
A pregnant woman, identified as Shakila Imran Siddiqui, reportedly died in the incident. She was taken to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (CSM) Hospital in Kalwa with her foetus hanging out from her abdomen, Zee News quoted Thane civic officials as saying.
Over 12 fire tenders and ambulances rushed to the spot. The injured were rushed to Thane Civil, CSM Civic and Kalsekar hospital in Kalwa. Those who were in critical condition were taken to Sion and JJ Hospital.
At the time of the incident, at least 35 families were in the building. The first four floor of the building had residences and offices. Four more floors were being constructed.
Police Inspector Digamber Jangale said the building did not have clearance from local authorities for the construction of the rest of the floor.
Civic officials said that the construction was illegal and was built on forest land. Meanwhile, police have registered a case of culpable homicide against the builder, Lucky Developers.
"Seven floors were built in merely three to four months. It was bound to collapse due to the inferior construction material used by the builders," Hindustan Times quoted Santosh Kadam, head of disaster management cell of Thane Municipal Corporation, as saying.
