At least nine people have been killed after a four-storey building collapsed in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi on Friday. According to reports, the tragedy happened while repair work was underway on the premises.
Officials fear more people may be trapped under the rubble.
A portion of the Kohinoor Building in Balaji Nagar area collapsed around 11:30 pm on Thursday.
Officials said that the building comprised 48 rooms, 12 on each floor. The building has been declared dangerous by the civic body.
"Loud cracking sounds" from the structure was heard by residents around 9 pm, said officials.
Local residents stepped in immediately to evacuate families to safety. However, as occupants were still trying to escape, the 'B' wing of the building collapsed, according to officials.
The Kohninoor Apartments have been classified as a 'Category C' building by the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNCMC). The building, in an extremely dilapidated condition, was listed as "dangerous". The municipal corporation had issued several notices and had most of the residents evacuate the building. However, renovation work continued on the ground floor.
According to media reports, a preliminary investigation revealed that the building's weakened structure led to the collapse. Over five labourers were inside the building when the accident took place.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is continuing rescue operations and removing debris.
(More details awaited)
