Mumbai Building Collapse: Victims’ Families On Their Endless Wait

7 dead, many still trapped under the debris as rescue ops continue after a building collapse in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar

Rescue personnel, including the BMC, NDRF and Mumbai police, at the collapse site.

(Photo: The Quint)

A four storey building collapsed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area on Tuesday morning, killing at least 9 people. The number is likely to rise as nearly 30 people residing in the building, Sai Apartment, remain trapped in the debris.

As soon as the BMC disaster control team received a tip, informing them of the collapse at about 10:40 am, over 14 fire engines, 15 ambulances and doctors were deployed at the site. Later, accompanied by NDRF personnel as well.

Ruchika Thakur lives in a building just 50 metres from the collapse site.(Photo: The Quint)

At around 10:40 am I was at home when I heard many people screaming. I got out and saw the building fall like a pack of cards. There was a lot of smoke and dust, that’s when it struck me that this building just 50 metres away from my house collapsed.      

Ruchika Thakur, eyewitness

For 75-year-old Pankaj Khara, the tragedy struck close home. His son and granddaughter were inside their third floor apartment when the building turned to rubble. While, his son was recovered quickly by rescue personnel, his grand daughter however, has been trapped for over 8 hours now. Hope is silently dwindling for Pankaj and his family.

Pankaj Khara stands with a photo of his 26-year-old grand daughter, Nirali. (Photo: The Quint)

Vijay Shah too, is waiting to hear about his niece who was in her apartment during the building collapse and is frantically praying for the recovery of his brother, who sustained injuries.

Vijay Shah waits for news on his brother outside Dr Praful Lokhande’s Shantiniketan Hospital. (Photo: The Quint)

“My brother has been admitted to the hospital. He sustained injuries, but is now recovering. However, his daughter is still missing. We are waiting for any information on her” said Vijay Shah.

To facilitate quick rescue, the rescue personnel used hydraulic cutters and sent in search cameras to point out where exactly the people are. NDRF personnel also used sniffer dogs to tread the area around the rubble cautiously in their bid to remove debris.

“Congested area and crowded locality posed problems for the rescue operation,” said the chief fire officer Prabhat Rahangdale.

About 75 percent debris has been removed and search operation is on for anyone suspected to be trapped inside. For temporary shelter, two to three nearby Municipal schools are open. They are providing water and food. All the victims have gone to their relatives residing nearby.

Prabhat Rahangdale, Chief Fire Officer

All the victims who were rescued, are being taken to either Rajawadi hospital or Dr Lokhande’s Shantiniketan hospital, which is right next to the collapse site.

Dr Praful Lokhande consulting with patients of the building collapse. (Photo: The Quint)

Almost 15 to 20 injured patients have come so far and we have been able to treat them and send some of them home, a few, however, have been hospitalised. Four people were brought in already dead, we have transferred them to Rajawadi Hospital. Two patients are lying in our ICU right now and one of them is a firefighter who got entrapped while rescuing a lady. Two more firefighters were also injured.

Dr Praful Lokhande, Chairman, Shantiniketan Hospital

Apart from being home to over 12 families, a nursing home was also being renovated on the ground floor of the building. While the cause of the collapse is yet to be investigated, civic body officials hinted that the renovation work could have weakened the foundation of the building.

Dr Mohd Abushahma taking a building collapse victim to a hospital in his ambulance.(Photo: The Quint)

“I received a call asking me to rush to this spot in Ghatkhopar West. I am helping with the rescue work and simultaneously driving patients to the closest hospitals. Till the rescue ops are on, I will be here and work with all my might to help these people” said Dr Mohd Abushahma, who works with the emergency ambulance service at LTT Kurla.

The BMC has ordered an inquiry into the incident. But for the families that are yet to know of the fate of their loved ones, the wait seems endless.