Mumbai:
At least seven people have died and six others injured when an abandoned four-storey building, which was occupied by some unauthorised dwellers, collapsed in Mumbai today, officials said.
The incident occurred at around 6.30 am when the dilapidated Piyush Building suddenly came crashing down, said an official.
Rescue workers have been able to pull out two bodies from under the debris, while five others were brought out alive.
Those who died in the building collapse are believed to be local vegetable vendors.
Of the injured, the condition of at least three is reported to be serious at the Bhagwati Hospital.
There is no information on whether more people are trapped under the debris, even as relief and rescue operations are on.
Dahisar Shiv Sena legislator Vinod Ghosalkar said that the building had been evacuated two years ago after it was declared 'dangerous' by the civic authorities.
"It was due to be re-developed, but owing to a dispute between the owner and tenants, the matter is under litigation. In the meantime, local vegetable vendors were taking shelter there," Mr Ghosalkar told the media.
The incident comes just a day after a three-storey building collapsed in Mumbra on the outskirts of Mumbai, killing 10 people.