30 dead as illegal building collapses in Thane, many feared trapped

Thane: The death toll in the collapse of an illegal building that was under construction in Thane near Mumbai has risen to 30. About 50 people are injured and rescue workers say five to eight people could still be trapped in the debris. (Pictures of the collapse)

The residential building in the Shil Phata locality collapsed at about 6.30 last evening. Though floors were still being added to the building, the police said, people were already living in it in gross violation of the law.

The builders, said the police, had flouted every possible norm. The building was constructed on forest land and had no permissions from the municipal corporation. The builders did not use an architect. Construction began only in February and already seven floors had been built. The police said the use of sub-standard material in construction could have caused the building to collapse.

The builders did not have an occupancy certificate for the building, but, apart from families living on some floors, there were small shops on the ground floor and private tuitions were being held on the second floor. Classes had ended yesterday at 6 pm about half an hour before the building collapsed.

Rescue work began at 9.30 last night and is still on. A team of the National Disaster Response Force and about 100 policemen from Mumbai are at the spot.

"The first priority was to rescue as many people as possible from the debris... Over 60 people have been rescued," said KP Raghuvanshi, Thane Police Commissioner.

A case of negligence has been registered against the builder, Lucky Developers, and the supervisor and contractor.