Godown wall falls in Sewri, crushes 5 boys

A chance to enjoy the rains proved to be fatal for five youngsters in Sewri. The wall collapse of old godown resulted in the death of five teenage boys.

The victims have been identified as Sayyad Ali Shaha, 11, Mohmad Noormohamad Shaha, 18, Gulam Moiuddin MajiullaKhan, 12, Mohamad Adanan Hasan Chawdhari, 12, and Shaufic Sheikh, 17.

The victims was residents of Babachiwadi.

On Saturday, they return home early from school. After lunch they went to the open as was their usual practice to play. They were playing in the compound of a defunct mill that was recently purchased by Bhattad builders.

Rubiyan Mohammed, Sufiyan’s younger brother said, “The boys were playing cricket. The stumps were near the wall and those who were not batting sat besides the wall.” The wall then suddenly collapsed trapping the boys under it. Residents immediately called the fire brigade. Four of the boys did on the spot while the fifth one Shoufik died during treatment at KEM Hospital.

“The Jubilee Mill belonged to a private builder, RM Bhuttad. The property was up for redevelopment. While the open plot in the compound had been handed over to MHADA,” said assistant municipal commissioner Kale.

The property in Jubilee Mill had been slated for redevelopment. According to civic officials, plans for redevelopment under 33/7 were approved  by the BMC and the and commencement certificate (CC) had also been given.

However, two years ago, urban renewal scheme was introduced under 33/9 (cluster development), for which papers had been sent to the building proposal department. The proposal is currently being studied by the BMC, said officials.