In the early hours of the morning, a four-story residential building collapsed on the outskirts of Mumbai due to its dilapidated state, killing 60 people and injuring at least 33.
Owned by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, or the BMC, it was declared “Class B2” last year- meaning that it was in dire need of repairs. It was discovered that alterations were made to the basement of the building that weakened the entire building’s structure. But nothing had been done to correct this. A tenant of the building, Ashok Mehta, was arrested for making illegal alterations in the building that eventually killed so many.
Before the collapse, the building contained 93 people in 28 single room homes. Then at 6 am on September 27th, all the windowpanes broke and without warning, the building caved in, trapping everyone inside.
“I was in the building when it fell,” says Deepteesh Kadam, “There was a small gap in the building so I escaped through the gap and came out. I got out but I could not find my brother at the time.” His brother was later found with just minor injuries. Their father and mother both died that day.
People are still waiting outside local hospitals for postings of those admitted to the hospitals, hoping it is a loved one. “They are still finding some people that have survived for so long,” a man says, “so I am still keeping hope.”
Many had come to the rescue, including six fire engines, four ambulances, 35 firemen, and a lot of policemen immediately after the accident occurred. Survivors are grateful to these brave men and women that helped save their lives.
