Heavy rains and strong winds hit various suburbs of Mumbai including Dadar, Kurla, Mahim, Ghatkopar, Mulund, and Vikhroli, while parts of south Mumbai experienced light showers. The neighboring towns of Thane, Ambernath, Badlapur, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar also received moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds.
Tragically, a massive billboard collapsed during a thunderstorm in Mumbai, resulting in 14 fatalities and 74 injuries with 31 already discharged. The incident occurred late on Monday when the billboard fell on houses and a petrol station due to the strong winds and rain. Rescue efforts persisted through the night and into Tuesday morning as scores of people were trapped under the debris.
Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), worked diligently to excavate the wreckage. Eight bodies were recovered, while four more remained trapped beneath the debris. Gaurav Chauhan, an NDRF inspector, explained that although they located the remaining bodies, retrieval was challenging due to the hazardous conditions near the petrol pump.
Who is Bhavesh Bhide?
Bhide, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, is linked to the hoarding in Ghatkopar, which is under scrutiny for safety concerns. The hoarding, owned by Bhavesh Bhide, has sparked legal action, including charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, filed against Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pant Nagar police station.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notice to Ego Media Pvt Ltd, instructing the removal of eight additional hoardings in the area within ten days. Furthermore, BMC threatens to revoke licenses for any hoardings across the 24 civic wards.
Following a complaint by former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, the BMC has taken action against the advertising firm.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the site and ordered a comprehensive structural audit of all city hoardings. He expressed condolences for the unfortunate incident and pledged a thorough investigation, promising action against those accountable. Additionally, he announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the families of each victim of the hoarding collapse.
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Amid heavy rain and thunderstorms in Mumbai's Ghatkopar, a 70-meter billboard collapsed on Monday, crashing onto a petrol pump at Cheddanagar Junction.
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Following the incident, rescue efforts began promptly, with 64 individuals taken to hospitals. Overnight operations by the NDRF involved excavators clearing debris to retrieve trapped victims. As of Tuesday, Maharashtra's state disaster management authority reported 44 hospitalizations, 31 discharges, and a death toll of 14. Multiple teams including NDRF, ambulance services, and fire teams are actively engaged in rescue operations.
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According to the BMC's statement on Monday, 20 to 30 individuals remained trapped beneath the fallen billboard debris. NDRF faced challenges due to the collapse occurring at a petrol pump, heightening safety concerns.
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Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the site on Monday, offering condolences and announcing ₹5 lakh ex gratia for the deceased's families, along with medical assistance for the injured.
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Legal actions have been taken following the tragedy, with the director of the hoarding company, Bhavesh Bhinde, and three others booked by Pant Nagar police. Charges include sections 304, 337, 338, and 34 of the IPC. Bhavesh Bhinde, also facing legal issues from a previous case, is currently absconding.
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President Murmu expressed condolences for the loss of life in the Ghatkopar incident, emphasizing support for recovery efforts.
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Government Railway Police (GRP) released a statement revealing the initiation of hoarding removal prior to the collapse. Despite efforts, the collapse occurred before completion. The management of the BPCL petrol pump and hoardings rested with the Railway Police Welfare Fund Association since 2021.
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GRP reiterated their efforts to remove the hoardings following BMC's directive, stating their commencement of the process before the collapse. The permission for hoarding installation was granted to Ego Media Pvt Ltd under the former GRP commissioner's tenure.
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The District Disaster Management Authority instructed Government Railway Police to swiftly remove the remaining three hoardings to avert further calamity.
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The autopsy of 14 bodies has been completed, with 12 of them handed over, and the 14th autopsy was conducted at Sion Hospital.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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