The death toll in the devastating Mumbai hoarding collapse incident in Ghatkopar has increased to 16, following the recovery of two more bodies from a trapped car under the fallen billboard.
An official from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) confirmed that the bodies of a male and a female were retrieved from the car in the Chheda Nagar area shortly after midnight. Search and rescue operations have continued for over 55 hours since the massive illegal hoarding collapsed on a petrol pump, trapping dozens under the debris. To date, 89 individuals have been rescued from beneath the collapsed structure, with 16 confirmed fatalities.
The bodies of the two most recently deceased were located by the NDRF on Wednesday night and extracted from the trapped vehicle in the early hours of Thursday. The incident has left a total of 75 people injured, with 32 already discharged from hospitals while 42 continue to receive medical treatment. The rescue teams have faced significant challenges, particularly given the proximity of the collapse site to a petrol pump. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) highlighted the necessity for extreme caution while cutting through the rubble and pipes to prevent potential fire hazards. This tragic incident has underscored the urgent need for stricter regulation and enforcement of billboard installations in Mumbai. The collapsed hoarding, reportedly illegal, has not only resulted in loss of life and injuries but also disrupted the daily lives of many in the Ghatkopar area.
The BMC’s release on Wednesday noted that efforts are ongoing to safely dismantle and clear the debris without exacerbating the risks. The municipality, in coordination with the NDRF and other emergency services, continues to work tirelessly to manage the aftermath of this calamity and prevent further incidents. The situation has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the regulatory lapses that allowed such a large, illegal structure to be erected in a densely populated area. The focus now shifts to accountability and the implementation of measures to ensure that such a tragedy does not recur. As Mumbai grapples with the consequences of this disaster, the emphasis on urban safety and regulatory compliance becomes more critical than ever. The tragic loss of 16 lives serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers posed by unauthorised structures in urban landscapes.
