Building collapse claims 10 lives in Mumbai

The dead include younger son, wife and mother of Rizwan Merchant, advocate of actor Sanjay Dutt

Ten people were killed and seven injured when a five-storey building in Mumbai’s Mahim area partially collapsed late on Monday night following two days of incessant rain. The dead include the younger son, wife and mother of Rizwan Merchant, advocate of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt.

Illegal construction

While civic officials refused to comment on the reason for the collapse, locals claimed that an illegal construction carried out in the car showroom at the ground floor of ‘Altaf’ building caused the collapse.

Mr. Merchant was in his office along with his elder son during the collapse.

Sayyad Rafi, a resident from the neighbouring building, said: “I had come out on Monday night for a cup of tea and suddenly heard a loud noise, as if there was a blast. It was dust everywhere and for a minute or two, I could not understand anything. Later, I realised that the building has collapsed.”

The building is located near the famous Mahim durgah and several cars parked around it were crushed under the debris.

Though fire brigade, police officials and personnel from the disaster management cell rushed to the spot, rains delayed the rescue work. The work could proceed in full strength only on Tuesday morning. The injured were moved to Sion, KEM and Bhabha hospital.

Probe ordered

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said, “We have ordered an inquiry into the episode. We want to check whether any restructuring was carried out without our permission. Action will be taken against those found guilty,” said an official.