An illegally-built three-storey chawl (row tenement) started tilting in Mumbai's Mankhurd area on Sunday evening. All families in the area took whatever they could and vacated their homes immediately, except one. Moinuddin Wajid Ali Shah did not have any place to shift his six-member family and hence decided to stay back until next morning. However, his decision cost him the lives of his wife and four children as the building collapsed within minutes after he stepped out to buy food and groceries. A girl, 6, from the neighbouring house who came to play with his kids also died.
"Since it had been raining heavily, I had instructed my children to stay home. I asked my wife to cook something for them and then stepped out to buy some food and household items for the family. I was barely gone for ten minutes when the incident occurred," The Indian Express quoted Moinuddin as saying.
Moinudeen's family members were identified as wife Akhtar Jahan, 38, children Kaisar Jaha Moinuddin, 14, Jalaluddin Moinuddin, 9, Serajuddin Moinuddin Shah, 6, and Anabiya Moinuddin Shah, 3. The sixth victim was a child in the neighbourhood identified as Aliya Allauddin Shaikh, 6.
Police arrested two people on Monday in connection with the chawl collapse in Janta Nagar, Mandala in Mankhurd. An FIR was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder as well as other offences.
Police officials said that those responsible allegedly failed to take corrective measures or implement safety precautions. Residents alleged that there are several such illegal structures in the locality and that the narrow lanes delayed arrival of ambulances and fire brigade vehicles.
"I live just opposite the room that collapsed. I was very close to the site when the incident happened. The building was already damaged. Strict action should be taken against those responsible," PTI quoted resident Ishtiaq Ahmed as saying.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
