One person died and 10 others sustained injuries when a 40-year-old building came crashing down around 5am at Tandel Mohall in Bhiwandi. The single-storey structure was in a dilapidated condition and a notice was served to its occupants, a family of eleven members, to vacate it.
While the deceased, a senior citizen, has been identified as Abdul Hamid Fakih, the injured are Asad Baig, Anwar Baig, Pervez Baig, Fatima Baig, Mujjawar Anwar Baig, Ali Hassan Baig, Mohammed Ijahaj Baig, Sahil Asad Baig, Israt Anwar Baig and Zubiya Baig.
The injured were rescued and taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial hospital for treatment. They were discharged after being administered first aid.
Immediately after the crash, fire brigade and civic officials along with the police rushed to the spot.
An officer from Bhoiwada police station said, "We rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation. The building was old and that the occupants were served notice."
Manohar Konka, a resident of Bhiwandi, said, "Officials from fire brigade, civic body and the police reached the spot on time and rescued people. If they were late, the situation would have been different. Bhiwandi has many illegal and dilapidated buildings which ignore all warnings. Most of them are one plus one houses without the required foundation, Therefore, the upper floor puts load on the lower house causing them to collapse after a point of time. We want the civic authorities to take stern action against such structures."
The civic officials have made a report about the collapse and have send it to higher officials for further action.
Meanwhile, a case under section ADR (Accidental Death) has been registered by Bhoiwada police. Further probe is on. Investigating officer PB Pawar said, "The victim family was sent notices many times but they were not leaving this dilapidated structure. The family had been living in the house since long. While one member died, all the others were rescued safely. The body of the deceased was sent to IGM hospital for post mortem. It will be handed over to the family members later."
"We are in the process of doing a punchnama and after which will hand over the reports to our seniors. Further probe is on," he added.
