Building collapse in Bhiwandi, Thane district; Toll climbs to 5, many feared trapped

Five people were left dead and at least 13 injured when a a two-storey godown in Bhiwandi that collapsed in the wee hours of Thursday.

The incident occurred at 2 am in the morning. At least 10-15 people are still trapped under the rubble.

A team of National Disaster Response Force, Civil Defence and fire brigade officers from the Thane Municipal Corporation are present at the spot for the rescue work.

"The building was under construction. The second floor was being raised. We do not know the exact cause of the the collapse nor can we confirm whether it was illegal or dangerous," said Santosh Kadam, head, disaster management cell, TMC.

All the injured were workers who workers of the godown which also housed a small garment factory. The injured have been taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Bhiwandi. Rescue work is on. 

This is a fourth building collapse in a span of two months in Mumbai and surrounding areas.