17 Dead In Building Collapse Near Mumbai, Child Among Those Rescued

Seventeen people were killed and several were feared trapped after a three-storeyed building collapsed in Bhiwandi near Mumbai early this morning.

As per the initial information, 35 people have been rescued from the rubble of the building in Patel Compound area. A child was among the 11 people rescued by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials.

At least 20 people have been rescued by locals after the building collapsed reportedly around 3:40 am.

#UPDATE Maharashtra: One more person rescued from under the debris at the site of Bhiwandi building collapse incident.

10 people have lost their lives in the incident which took place earlier today. pic.twitter.com/deF2GiiLtK

- ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish over the building collapse and said all possible assistance is being provided to the affected.

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 accident in the city of Bhiwandi occurred around 3:40 am, local authorities said.

"Ten people have died, we have rescued 11 people alive," an official at the Thane city said.

More than 40 emergency workers, including a team of 30 rescuers from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are at the scene.

NDRF director general Satya Narayan Pradhan tweeted that teams armed with specialised equipment and sniffer dogs were trying to rescue some "20-25 feared trapped".

Around 20 families were reportedly staying inside the building which was reportedly 40 years old.