Bhiwandi Building Collapse: Here’s what we know so far

Team Udayavani, Sep 22, 2020, 12:20 PM IST

Around 20 people were killed after a three-storey building collapsed in Patel Complex, Dhaman Naka of Narpoli area in Bhiwandi on Monday Sep 21. 8 children between the ages of 2 years and 14 years have died in the collapse

After the incident, PM Modi expressed grief and paid his condolences to the bereaved families.

Saddened by the building collapse in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for a quick recovery of those injured. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2020

The 43-year-old Jhilani building collapsed at around 3:40am. It had 40 flats and housed around 150 people.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Bhiwandi Disaster Cell and the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) and fire brigade are carrying out rescue operations in the Patel Compound area of the city.

It is said that the collapse happened as the building’s third floor crashed onto the first floor of the building

As reported by News18, The Municipal Commissioner of Bhiwandi, Dr Pankaj Asiya said that the preliminary cause of the collapse has not yet been ascertained. He added that a notice was issued to get the three-decade-old building repaired.

According to the NDRF, the estimated number of people trapped at the site is between 25 to 30. This number may change as the rescue operation is in progress.