Mumbai building collapse as it happened: Death toll rises to 22 as over hundred year old structure reduced to rubble

20-day-old baby among 34 dead: NDTV

Man trapped under debris rescued

Waterlogging may have made building’s foundation weaker

According to an article in India Today , experts said that waterlogging may have made the foundation of the building weaker.

Experts said that heavy rains combined with strong winds may have worsened the health of the building.

Nine more people rescued from debris

Fire brigade officials said that another nine people were rescued with injuries from the debris and admitted to the JJ Hospital.

Six officials of the fire department and one from the NDRF also suffered injuries in the operation.

The officials said that eight fire engines, one rescue van and ambulances have been are at the collapse site to assist the personnel in rescue operations. — PTI

Death toll rises to 34: ANI

Watch: Rescue operations continue

Death toll crosses 30

Updates begin for 1 September

List of the names of deceased in the tragedy

JJ Hospital has released a list of names of the deceased identified so far, reported Mumbai Mirror. 

Hasan Arsiwala, Tasneem Arsiwala, Fatima Sayyed Zafar, Naseer Ahmed, Sayyed Jama Zafer, Bacchwa, Nazir Gulam Shaikh, Sakina Chashmawala, Mustafa Rais Shaikh, Najmuddin Cashmawala, Hafiz Mohsin Shaikh, Mahesh Nalawde, Altaf Hayder Mansoori, Abbas Najmuddin Chasmawala, Amantulla Abbas Chashmawala, Afzal Alam

Death toll rises up to 22

Mumbai Mirror quoted JJ Hospital sources, stating that the death toll in the tragedy has shot up to 22. The number is expected to rise further as 10 people are still feared trapped.

Blame game over Mumbai building collapse

As many as 19 people lost their lives when a 117-year-old building crumpled in a heap of rubble early morning on Thursday. However as the day progressed and the story moved beyond the immediate shock of loss of life, the authorities passed the blame on to each other. Here’s what all the stakeholders have said so far. 

Maharashtra Govt – We had given all relevant clearances, NOCs in time. The last notice to demolish the building was sent in 2016. MHADA is not responsible because redevelopment contract was given to Saifee Burhan Upliftment Trust (SBUT). 

BMC – It was a MHADA building; they are responsible. 

SBUT – We had given eviction notices to all the residents and had even moved out seven familie to transit homes, who were willing to relocate

List of the 15 people injured

Tasleel Chashmawala, Zajur Arsiwala, Abdullatif, Rufiya, Saeed Ahmed, Fatima Ummedwala, Prashant Gajbare, Tatoba Patil, Salim Husain, Khan Kamrul Hasan, Ahmed Ali, Gulam Bos, Iqbal Khan, Afzal Shaikh and Quresh Saifuddin

As reported by Mumbai Mirror

Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra recommends construction companies to conduct CSR activities like pre-monsoon surveys of dilapidated buildings 

Dawood ​Ibrahim’s brother describes building collapse

There was an explosion-like sound, followed by a swirl of dust as the five-story Husaini building in his neighbourhood collapsed, said Iqbal Kaskar, absconding gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s younger brother.

Kaskar, who lives in a nearby building, said he was at home and had just woken up when he heard a loud “explosion-like sound”, followed by a swirl of dust. “I immediately rushed down,” he said. “We felt our building vibrate,” Kaskar said, speaking to a Marathi news channel.

Not many people lived on the upper floors, but several workers lived on the ground floor, Kaskar said. It was a residential-cum-commercial building, he added. —PTI

Visuals of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ visit to the building collapse site

Shaina NC says government has come up with “conclusive housing policy for dilapidated buildings for the safety of Mumbaikars”

The BJP leader also said, “In time of crisis let’s not play blame game and focus on saving lives of affected.”

Samajwadi Party holds MHADA, SBUT responsible for collapse 

The Samajwadi Party (SP) sought to put the blame on housing body MHADA and the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) that had undertaken the redevelopment of the over century old structure.

“It is the MHADA and SBUT, which is responsible for the collapse. There should be an inquiry conducted by a sitting High Court judge and criminal cases should be filed against officials of the two agencies and immediate arrests should be made,” SP corporator Rais Shaikh told reporters.

Shaikh said SBUT should be made answerable as to why was there a delay in evacuating the residents when MHADA had already served them eviction notices.

“There are 16,000 cessed buildings and thousands of lives are at risk, the responsibility of which should be borne by MHADA,” he said. “I appeal to the Chief Minister to conduct a structural audit of all these 16,000 cessed buildings and make funds available for their redevelopment. Life has become cheap in this city,” he said. — PTI

SBUT states seven families were shifted to transit homes in 2016-17: Read their full press statement

PM Modi offers condolences for victims of building collapse

Bhendi Bazaar building collapse: SBUT or MHADA, who is to blame for incident in Mumbai?

A MHADA document reveals that authorities were warned about the building’s dilapidated status in 2011. The observations were made during a pre-monsoon survey six years ago. The notice recommended that the premises should be evacuated immediately under Chapter 8 of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976.

The notice also mentions that if the clauses of the MHADA warning notice were not obeyed, the residents would be “forcibly evicted” with the help of the police and the fire brigade. The document explicitly mentions that MHADA “will not be responsible for any loss of life and property situated in the said premises… This (eviction) must be brought to the notice of all occupants,” the notice added.

However, advocate Dilip Shah mentions that “the overall liability is significantly higher for developers”. The building is part of the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) cluster development project. The SBUT says that the authorities are “on-ground to provide complete support to families and authorities”.

Death toll rises to 19; 12 injured

From now on we will evict people forcefully if they don’t vacate dilapidated buildings: State Housing Development Minister

Watch: An eyewitness account of today’s mishap 

Watch: CM Devendra Fadnavis’ statement after Mumbai building collapse

Man has close shave moments before Mumbai building collapse

Twenty-five-year-old Mohammed Rafiq had a hairbreadth escape as he managed to dash out of the dilapidated Husaini Building in Bhendi Bazaar moments before it collapsed, leaving at least 16 dead. 

“I had come to collect my belongings last night before leaving for my native place in Uttar Pradesh this morning. I ran out as soon as I heard a loud noise,” Rafiq said.  Some people in his room were brushing teeth when they heard cries outside, “Run… the building is about to crumble.”

CM Devendra Fadnavis announes compensation of 5 lakh for the kin of dead

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the government had issued the No Objection Certificate for redevelopment back in 2011. He said that the government will launch an enquiry into the matter. He also said that the last notice for demolition was sent in 2016, despite that 13 families were still living in the building. 

The chief minister also announced Rs 5 lakh compenstaion for the kin of those, who lost their lives.

Maharashtra govt orders probe in Bhendi Bazaar building collapse

The Maharashtra government will conduct an inquiry into the Bhendi Bazaar building collapse in which at least 16 people lost their lives, state minister Subhash Desai announced on Thursday. 

“We will probe how the developer concerned failed to redevelop the project when it was granted the NOC way back in 2011. This is the time to provide rescue and relief to the victims and their aggrieved relatives. Later, we will fix responsibility,” he said.

He said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will chair a meeting to chalk out an action plan to rehabilitate those living in dilapidated buildings. This particular building was already marked for redevelopment as it was dilapidated. The Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), run by the Bohra community, was granted the rights to redevelop the cluster of old buildings in congested Bhendi Bazar.

Death toll shoots up to 16

Lives of scores of children spared in incident by sheer luck

A report on India Today TV stated that a nursery school was run on the first floor of the building, which crumbled down on Thursday. However, all the children could escape the strategy as the school starts at around 10.30 am, but the incident occurred at 08.30 am.

State govt allotted Rs 400 Crore for redevelopment of old buildings in the area

The Maharashtra government had allocated a budget of Rs 400 Crore for the redevelopment and renovation of the old buildings in the Bhendi Bazaar area. However, residents claim that therenovation work has been progressing at a snails pace. 

The government has, however, claimed that the delays were caused due to the resident’s reluctance to move out of their homes.

Maharashtra minister blames residents, says people not willing to leave crumbling homes despite redevelopment orders

Speaking to CNN-News 18, Prakash Mehta, the state Housing Development minister said that it was not right to blame the government as redevelopment orders had been isued in 2016 and all the necessary permissions were also granted.

He said that the people lacked trust and did not want ka move out of their homes despite repeated warnings and requests. 

sari permission di thi

Death toll rises to 15 in Bhendi Bazaar building collapse, over 34 injured

MHADA notified residents in 2011 about dilapidated structure, issued orders to vacate

Latest images from Bhendi Bazar building collapse site: 4 fire brigade personnel too have been injured

Image procured by Sachin Gokhale

Number of injured rises to 34, including 6 firemen 

Fire broke out at Bhendi Bazar Collapse site which has been doused

Debris still being cleared as at least 10 more people are feared trapped

Death toll touches 13 in Mumbai building collapse

Assistant Commissioner C ward Jiva Gheghadmal told Firstpost that the death toll has touched 13, including 2 women while 16 other people are injured. Most of the injured are undergoing treatment at the JJ Hospital.

One fireman was also injured during the rescue operations. who is admitted to the Saifee Hospital.

BMC mayor shifts blame on MHADA as 12 people lose their lives in Bhendi Bazaar building collapse

As a 125-year-old building collapsed claiming at least a dozen lives, the BMC mayor, Vishwanath Mahadeshwar has said that the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority must be blamed for the mishap. 

Watch: Live visuals from the collapse site

Here is what the residents of the area had to say

29 people rescued so far

Watch: Eyewitnesses talk about the mishap

Death toll rises to 12

Locals distribute food at site as rescue operations continue

Watch: Eyewitness recounts tragedy

Image courtesy: Parag Shinde/Firstpost

Image courtesy: Parag Shinde/Firstpost

Dilapidated building was categorised as “most dangerous”

According to News18 , the collapsed building had been categorised as “most dangerous” by local authorities. The building was also said to be 125 years old.

The BMC had earlier identified 791 buildings in the C-1 category, which is the category for the most dangerous buildings. Of these, 186 (23 percent) had been demolished and 117 (14 percent) had been evacuated.

Between 2010 and 2014, 13,473 cases of structural collapse were reported in the country, which killed 13,178 people, according to NCRB data.

Image courtesy: PTI

Visuals from the mishap site

Watch our Facebook LIVE video of the Bhendi Bazaar building collapse here:

MHADA had issued notices declaring building dilapidated: Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust

“MHADA notices dated 28-03-2011 and 20-05-2011 declaring the building dilapidated were issued along with offer of transit accommodation to the remaining tenants and occupants,” said the trust’s press release.

Visuals of the building collapse

Image courtesy: PTI

Death toll rises to 10

Maharashtra govt to probe building collapse

The Maharashtra government will conduct an inquiry into the Bhendi Bazaar building collapse in which at least seven people lost their lives, state minister Subhash Desai said.

“Our priority is to pull out at the earliest those trapped under the rubble of the dilapidated building. Once the rescue work gets over, the government will conduct a probe to ascertain the factors behind the building collapse. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” the industries minister, who is also the guardian minister for Mumbai, told reporters.

A meeting would be held with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to chalk out an action plan to rehabilitate those living in dilapidated buildings.

“This particular building was already marked for redevelopment as it was dilapidated. A meeting will soon be held with the chief minister and an action plan will be prepared to rehabilitate those residing in such structures so that these incidents do not occur again,” Desai said. — PTI

Collapsed building had nursery-cum-playgroup which was scheduled to open at 10 am today

A woman said the building also housed a nursery-cum-playgroup. It was scheduled to open at 10 a.m., two hours after the building collapsed. — IANS

Two firemen among those injured

According to the BMC Disaster Control official, the injured, including two firemen, were rushed to the hospital.

So far, 14 persons have been rescued from the rubble within three hours of the incident and efforts were underway to save more lives, the official added. — IANS

JJ Hospital will provide any treatment needed to injured: Maharashtra health minister

“Treatment of the injured is on,” said Deepak Sawant, Maharashtra health minister, at the JJ Hospital. “JJ Hospital is ready to provide any medicine, treatment or surgery that is needed.”

‘Mr minister, go back!’

Local residents in Bhendi Bazaar are clearly angry.

As a BJP leader was being interviewed by Times Now, an angry local interrupted the interview and started shouting, “Mr minister, go back!”

Death toll now at 7

The death toll is likely to rise as news reports are saying that 15 people are seriously injured.

Maharashtra state health minister visits JJ Hospital

Political slugfest begins

While Congress blamed the Maharashtra government and the BMC for the recent building collapse mishaps that had taken place in Mumbai, BJP retaliated by saying that Congress did not do anything about these buildings in the past when the state was under their rule.

Death toll now at 6

Death toll rises to 4

Building collapsed at around 8.30 am

The building, located at Pakmodia street near JJ Hospital, with 12 rooms and six godowns on the ground floor, crumbled at around 8:30 am.

According to fire brigade sources present at the spot, “There were around nine families staying in the building. Thirty people are feared trapped.” — PTI

Five people are critically injured

Arsiwala building was over 100 years old: BJP corporator

South Mumbai BJP corporator Atul Shah said the crashed Arsiwala Builidng was a ground-plus-four storeyed structure, housing a godown and around 10 families.

“It was over a century old and dilapidated like many of the buildings in the locality. But it is not clear whether it is included on the list of dangerous buildings,” Shah told mediapersons from the crash site.

According to the Fire Brigade, the building had two wings which have completely collapsed.

Ten fire engines, two JCBs, cranes and other machineries were deployed to clear the massive heap of rubble and extricate the victims underneath. — IANS

90-member NDRF team deployed at site: Reports

Exact number of people trapped inside not known

Amid fears that many people are trapped under the rubble, the rescuers have pulled out three persons alive so far.

Confirming this, DCP, Zone I, Manoj Sharma said while three people are rescued, the exact number of people trapped is not known immediately. — PTI

I saw cracks in adjoining building: BJP corporator

“I saw some cracks in the adjoining building, I have told MHADA to evacuate that building immediately,” BJP corporator Atul Shah told CNN-News18.

Death toll rises to 3

CNN-News18 and India Today TV are reporting that the death toll has now risen to 3.

At least three people rescued

Over 24 people were living in Arsiwala building

More than two dozen people were living in the old and dilapidated Arsiwala building on Maulana Shaukat Ali Road. — IANS

BMC had inspected building a couple of weeks ago: Shaina NC

“The onus is on the BMC. We do know that many buildings which had been cleared by the BMC had also collapsed. The chief minister will definitely take stock of the situation,” Shaina NC, BJP leader, said.

“This is a cause of worry. The municipal corporation had inspected the building a couple of weeks ago,” she further told CNN-News18.

Two people dead, seven injured: India Today TV

The news channels reports that doctors at the JJ Hospital, where the injured have been taken, have said that two people have died.

30 to 35 people feared trapped inside