Mumbai: 23 killed as century-old building collapses in Bhendi Bazaar

At least 23 persons died and more than 30 others are still feared trapped after more than a century-old dilapidated building - that was up for cluster-development - caved in off the Pakmodia Street in Bhendi Bazaar near the Sir JJ Hospital in south Mumbai on Thursday.

So far, 34 persons have been rescued and taken to the Sir JJ Hospital where they are undergoing treatment. At the time of going to Press, there were reports of 30 to 35 persons still feared trapped in the rubbles.

The building collapsed at around 0830 hrs and - comes after Tuesday's  pounding of Mumbai by torrential rains - 325 mm in a matter of 12 hours.

The 117-year-old six-storey Husaini Building was awaiting the redevelopment the Saifee Burhani  Upliftment Trust (SBUT) controlled by the Bohri Muslim community as some residents have refused to move out and vacate the place for demolition.

The building caved in like a pack of cards around 0830 hrs with a loud thud - after that smoke and dust billowed out of the debris.

"We are taking all measures to rescue people and provide relief to them," Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said after inspecting the operations.

"There was an explosion-like shattering sound. It was followed by a cloud of dust and smoke...we were confused and trying to figure out what had happened," said veteran activist Dinesh Sadh, who stays in a neighbouring area and is familiar with the topography of Mumbai. "We heard people screaming, men and women running here and there...there was complete confusion," he said.

Teams of BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority have rushed to the spot.  Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) that were stationed in Mumbai in the wake of Tuesday's heavy downpour too have rushed there.

"We will continue the operation overnight till the last person or body is accounted for," said chief fire officer Prabhat Rahangdale said. Rescue teams, taking all precautions cut iron material and break slabs and trying to reach out to people.

Several of the relatives of people continue to camp at the Bhendi Bazaar locality keeping their fingers crossed. Among them was Sayed Sabir, who came looking for his sister. "My brother-in-law called me...he is inside....my sister is there, just now the body of their kid is found," he said and broke down. “I am alive…come and save me," a resident Zaffer Rizvi, sent out in a message to his relatives on WhatsApp, said, eyewitnesses.

The ground+6 storeyed-building housed a total of 13 tenants which included 12 residential and 1 commercial. Out of these, the trust had already shifted 7 families. On the ground floor, there was sweet manufacturing unit and shop and also a caterers' godown and kitchen. A play school for young kids was also located in the building - but they had a close shave and the building collapsed before they could land up.