Thane (Maharashtra), July 31 (IANS): At least eight people were killed when a two-storey dilapidated building collapsed in Thane district's Bhiwandi town, police said.

"So far, we have recorded eight deaths, 22 have been rescued and further rescue efforts are underway to save other trapped victims," a police spokesperson told IANS.

The accident occurred in Gaibinagar locality of this town famous for its powerloom industry, around 35 km north of Mumbai, when the rickety building which housed some 10 families crashed around 8.30 a.m.

The local municipal corporation had earlier declared the building as hazardous for occupation, but the families continued to live there, locals told media persons.

Teams of the disaster management forces, the city fire brigade and civic body were engaged in the rescue work which was severely hampered by torrential rains that continued to lash the entire coastal Maharashtra since Saturday evening.