Maharashtra: 1 dead, many feared trapped after multi-storey building collapses in Raigad

NAVI MUMBAI: As many as 80 people got trapped while one other died when a ground-plus-five-storey building collapsed in Kharkan Mohalla of Mahad town in Raigad district on Monday evening.

Following the incident, three NDRF teams from Pune were rushed to the spot to launch search and rescue operation.
The rescue teams have so far managed to extricate around 60 people from the debris.
Meanwhile, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray called Mahad MLA Bharat Gogawale and Raigad collector Nidhi Chaudhary to take stock of the situation. He has directed them to expedite the rescue operations.
Around 250 people were staying in the building which had 47 flats. The building started trembling at around 6pm and then its pillars collapsed. The building was constructed in 2011 and was developed by Kohinoor Developers, Panvel.
Mahad sub-divisional officer Vitthal Inamdar said, “The two wings of the ground-plus-five-storeyed Tariq Garden building were fully occupied. Around 25 people managed to come out when the building started shaking.”
Raigad SP Anil Paraskar said, “Around 60 people have been extricated from the debris. Of them, over 30 have suffered minor injuries."
Raigad police PRO Suresh Yamgar said, “The injured have been rushed to a local government hospital for further treatment.”
Raigad district information officer Manoj Sanap said, “Three teams of NDRF from Pune have joined the rescue operation. Workers, gas cutters, generator sets, excavators and ambulances have been pressed into service. Keeping in mind the situation, arrangements for blood transfusion have been done at Mangaon sub-district and Alibag civil hospitals.”
Mahad resident and former councillor Bipin Mhamunkar alleged, “I had complained about the poor quality construction work of the building and had sought a structural audit. The authorities ignored it.”