The body of a woman washed ashore in Versova on Sunday is suspected to be of 24-year-old Sonali Sakpal, who has been missing since the devastating Malad reservoir wall collapse on July 1.
While the search continued on Sunday, the family members will visit Cooper Hospital on Monday to identify the body.
“Sonali had her name tattooed on her left hand. The police have sent us pictures of the tattoo on the body they found in Versova. They are exactly the same,” Bala Sakharkar, Sakpal’s uncle, said. He said the clothes and earrings on the body are also similar.
Friends, relatives and locals had joined fire brigade officials in the search operation, but there was no trace of Sakpal. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service, but they could not help much.
Sakpal’s parents — Sunil and Alka — and two younger siblings — Sachin (23) and Rupali (21) — were admitted to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Municipal General Hospital in Kandivali with multiple injuries. They were told that Sakpal was admitted to another hospital.
However, the relatives first broke the news of her being missing to her father, who was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, and her brother. It was only on Sunday that her mother and sister were told the same.
Sakpal was the eldest of the three siblings. But she was extremely frail and looked like a 15-year-old. “She had always been weak. She would, therefore, fall sick often,” said Manisha Rajbhar, Sakpal’s friend, adding Sakpal loved going out and was addicted to making Tik Tok videos.
Sakpal worked in an imitation jewellery-making firm. On the night of July 1, she was preparing to sleep next to her sibling and parents when the strong water current came in.
“Her brother Sachin held on to Rupali. When he tried to catch hold of Sonali, her clothes tore away and she slipped,” said Prem Beek, a family friend, who lives nearby and has been part of the search operation. “It is a very difficult situation for the family and friends. There will be no closure till we find something,” he said.
Chief Fire Officer Prabhat Rahangdale said they may call off the search by end of Monday.
“Many excavators were deployed and the debris have been cleared from the entire affected area. However, we have still not found the missing woman. Since there is no trace of life, we will have to call off the search,” Mr. Rahangdale said.
