Death toll in Mumbai's building collapse rises to 13; CM Fadnavis announces Rs 5 Lakh compensation for the next of kin

Mumbai, July 17: While the rescue operations from the rubble are still on, the death toll in a building collapse in south Mumbai's congested Dongri locality has risen to 13.

 

Continuing the rescue operations, the NDRF officer said that they had rescued carcasses of thirteen people, including six males, four females and three children, while nine had got injuries and were under medical treatment.

 

 

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meanwhile has announced compensation of Rs 5 Lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, and all medical expenses of the injured to be borne by the state government.

Expressing the deep grief over the incident PM Narendra Modi had yesterday said that the collapse of a building in Mumbai’s Dongri was anguishing. “My condolences are to the families of those who lost their lives. I hope the injured recover soon. Maharashtra Government, NDRF and local authorities are working on rescue operations and assisting those in need”, he added.

 

MHA Amit Shah also called the collapse a very tragic incident. Further paying condolences to the bereaved, he said, "The rescue operations are on in full swing. The state government, NDRF, and local authorities are doing their best to assist people in need.

The site of the building crash in the congested Dongri area was crowded and chaotic as hundreds of onlookers created hurdles in the rescue operation even as NDRF and civic personnel attacked the rubble with bare hands to reach survivors.

 

The narrow road leading to the ill fated four storeyed building meant NDRF jawans could not get earth-moving equipment near the rubble, leaving them with no option but to carry out the search and rescue operation manually. “The rescue work is expected to get prolonged because of this”, a NDRF official at the site said.