10 dead as Mumbai building collapses

Flash report from Rons Bantwal (MB)
DaijiworK Media Network - Mumbai

Updates at 00.30am, Jul 19, 2007

MUMBAI, Jul 18: Ten people were killed, twelve injured and over 60 feared trapped when a six-storeyed residential building partially collapsed in a north-west suburb on Wednesday.

A portion of the 20-year old Laxmi Chhaya building at the Babhai Naka in suburban Borivali collapsed at around 1730 hours resulting in the casualties, the police said.

The deceased include three men, six women and a girl while four of the injured have been discharged after being administered primary treatment, they said.

Mayor of Mumbai Shubha Raul said 60 more are feared to be trapped in the debris and added that prima facie, the civic body suspects that the building would have collapsed due to some major structural changes carried out by a jewellery shop on the ground floor.

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra R R Patil, who visited the spot, has ordered an enquiry into the collapse and questioned why did not the building figure in the list of endangered buildings in the city.

He has also assured relief from the state government to the kin of the deceased and the injured persons.

The police said that 12 of the total 24 residential apartments and around seven commercial establishments on the ground floor have collapsed. 

Mumbai, Jul 18: The Laxmi Chhhaya building comprising seven floors, located in the VIP Colony on V P Road, Borivli (West) started to collapse around 6-20 pm .

The building is 22 years old.

Ninety people, including women and children, are feared to have been trapped under the debris and the fire service and the  police, assisted by the citizens, are making every effort to save them.

Daijiworld's Mumbai correspondent Rons Bantwal has rushed to the spot.

More details and pics will be posted later.