6 killed in Bhayander building collapse

Six people, including three minor girls, died on the spot and five others were critically injured when a three-storey building in Kharigaon in Bhayander collapsed on Friday evening.   

According to Navghar police, portions of Lata Apartment in Bhayandar (East) collapsed burying at least 11 residents under the debris. Five people were rescued after a meticulous search and rescue operation carried out by the Mira-Bhayander fire brigade and the police with the help of locals. Initially, two persons, including a seven-year-old child, were found dead on the spot. Later, more people succumbed to their injuries.    

The dead have been identified as Rajendra Yadav 35, Gayatri Yadav, 30, Netra Retharekar, 25, Ranjana Yadav, 7, Shilpa Dey, 7 and Sonali Chandrapal, 10.  

Speaking to DNA, senior inspector of Navghar police station Dinkar Pingle said that the top-floor slab of the apartment suddenly crashed which resulted in the collapse of the entire side of the building. This had happened within seconds.

“We have succeeded in rescuing more than four persons from the debris. So far, six deaths have been confirmed. Two are still believed to be buried under the debris,” said Pingle.  

Lata Apartment was built in 1978. The structure was declared dangerous by the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and residents were served a notice to evacuate before monsoon. However, they were waiting for a court order in this regard.

The death toll, officials said, may rise as the rescued persons are in a critical condition.  

According to locals, there were many people in the building when the mishap occurred. The fire brigade and the police rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation immediately. Work was on till the filing of this report.