Community toilet collapses in Mankhurd, at least 3 dead

A community toilet in Mandala village in Mankhurd area collapsed on Friday morning leaving at least three persons dead. The incident took place around 8.10 am when the toilet was almost full. The toilet served over 5,000 people leaving in nearby slums.

By around 10 am, according to civic officials, three bodies had already been retrieved from the debris. A search operation is underway.

Apart from the fire brigade, the administration deployed the police and the Rapid Action Force to control the mob that went berserk after the toilet collapsed. People began protesting against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation  (BMC).

Residents say that they had complained several times about the pathetic condition of the toilet but the civic body had not paid heed to their demand. Sachin Shedge, a resident said, “The toilet collapsed around 8 am when several people were relieving themselves. And even then, there was queue outside as this was the single toilet for around 5 to 6 thousand residents. It was in poor condition.”

BMC’s disaster control room confirmed that three bodies have been recovered from the debris and that a rescue operation was underway.