MUMBAI: At least two people were killed and several others are trapped in the rubble of a five-storey residential building which collapsed on Monday evening, officials said here on Tuesday.
With rescue operations in full swing in the huge mound of rubble of the erstwhile Tarique Garden, at least seven more injured victims were found in addition the 25 others rescued on Monday night.
Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde ordered a detailed probe into the incident and the government has identified at least six people who are being booked for the tragedy. They are the builder, the architect, the RCC consultant, the contractor, the then CEO of the civic body and the chief engineer.
A team of Mahad Police has left for Mumbai to arrest the builder and contractor who constructed it besides taking action against others involved in it.
Teams from the NDRF, Raigad Police, Fire Brigade and other NGOs were involved in the rescue work assisted by a dog squad to sniff out the victims trapped underneath.
The residential building Tarique Garden in Kajalpura area of the town with around 45 flats and over 100 residents, suddenly came crashing down on Monday around 6 pm, in Mahad town, some 170 km south of Mumbai.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was disturbed by the Raigad building collapse and sympathised with the families of the victims.
“I appeal to the Maharashtra government to rush help to the victims and those trapped. Congress workers should also help in the rescue works,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday.
The building, said to be a little more than six years old, was constructed by two Mumbai-based realtors.
The building had more than 200 occupants, but being evening hours many might be outdoors or in markets.
“Stringent action will be taken against all those found guilty. We shall also carry out a structural audit of all old and dilapidated structures in the state to prevent recurrences of such tragedies,” Minister Shinde told mediapersons on Tuesday morning.