The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is conducting a search and rescue operation at the site of a hoarding collapse in Mumbai's Ghatkopar. They have stated that the number of casualties may continue to rise as the chances of finding survivors are slim.
Two teams of the NDRF, along with the fire brigade and police, have been working tirelessly to rescue people trapped under the collapsed billboard at a petrol pump in the Chheda Nagar area of Ghatkopar. The collapse occurred on Monday evening due to gusty winds and unseasonal rains.
As of now, the search and rescue teams have rescued 89 individuals from under the collapsed hoarding. Among them, 14 were declared dead, and 75 others were injured. Two more bodies have been located under the debris, but they are yet to be recovered.
"Heavy machinery has been deployed for clearing and lifting the steel structure and girder of the billboard that collapsed on the petrol pump and a parking lot," an NDRF official said.
"The probability of more casualties cannot be ruled out as the chances of finding people alive are slim," he said.
Cutting and drilling equipment are not being used due to the petrol pump's presence, he said. Also, fuel has leaked from damaged vehicles that were struck under the 120x120-foot billboard.
Another NDRF official said that on Wednesday morning, a small fire broke out at the incident site during the operation, but the fire tenders deployed there immediately doused it.
Follow us
