6 die in Royal Palms rubble

MUMBAI: A slab collapsed in an under-construction building at Royal Palms in Aarey Colony, Goregaon (East), on Tuesday, killing six people and injuring six. At least two people were still reportedly under the debris.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone 12) Shivaji Bodke said: “A basement was being built at the row house inside Royal Palms when a portion of the structure crashed.”

Police said the incident happened at 5:30pm. But witnesses said police and firemen arrived only at 6:30. The dead, labourers from West Bengal, were identified as Vijay Mandal, Babu Rathod, Anil Chauhan, Bhairav Chauhan, H Bangali and Lakshman Rathod.

The contractor, Sayyed Ejaz Ali, told DNA that the slab fell when labourers removed the bamboo mesh supporting it. “We started working on the structure four months ago,” he said. “A fortnight back, we supported the ceiling with a bamboo mesh that had to be kept in place for a minimum curing period of 24 days. But for some reason, my men removed it.”

Ali’s firm, Al Mehndi Construction, was awarded the contract by the Nenseys, owners of Royal Palms. A Nensey spokesman said: “We have nothing to do with the structure till it is completed and handed over to us.”

BMC officials said the structure was located on hilly terrain and may have caved in due to lateral pressure. BV Late, assistant engineer, said, “We have registered a police complaint.”