Two balconies, one on each floor of a seven-story structure, crashed on people on Wednesday in Gujarat's Bhavnagar city, killing a woman and injuring at least 17, according to officials.
According to Bhavnagar Municipal Commissioner N V Upadhyay, the event happened at about 11.50 am.
The balcony slabs on the first and second floors of Madhav Hill Complex on Takhteshwar Road collapsed when the deceased, Hansaben Jamod, and several injured people were standing on the ground floor, he claimed.
According to officials, the building's first, second, and ground floors serve as a shopping center, with the remaining floors being used for residences.
“The entire building has been vacated and the cause of the collapse is being investigated,” police inspector PD Parmar at Neelam Baug police station said.
He added that the structure is over fifty years old and in poor condition.
Upadhyay added that as soon as the fire department crew heard about the event, they immediately raced to the scene and launched a search and rescue mission.
"Seventeen to eighteen persons, who were trapped under the debris, were pulled out and admitted to Sir Takhtasinhji General Hospital. We have not yet asked the residents of the flats to vacate the building as the structure appears safe," he added.
Hansaben Jamod was brought to the hospital with significant injuries, and according to hospital officials, she passed away while receiving treatment.
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