Kurla building collapse: Day after tragedy, families wait to collect bodies of loved ones

A day after the tragedy, families were seen waiting at the civic-run Rajawadi hospital to claim the bodies to bid final adieu to their loved ones.

Moreover, of the 14 people injured in the mishap 11 were discharged after treatment. The survivors said they feel lucky to get a second chance at life. A mother-son duo that sustained major injuries and were admitted to the hospital’s trauma ward, were discharged on Wednesday so they could perform last rites of the woman’s husband Ramesh Badiya.

The Badiya family was among the 33 people who were trapped under the debris after the structure collapsed in Kurla on Monday night. Preet and his mother were trapped for nearly 12 hours. “My sister’s husband was rescued yesterday evening, but died on Wednesday morning owing to multiple injuries he sustained after debris fell on him. My sister is unable to move one of her legs, so we arranged a wheelchair for her to take part in her husband’s funeral,” said Ratan Kanvar, Devki’s cousin brother. Ramesh’s last rite would be performed at one of his relatives’ residence in Kurla.

Similarly, relatives of the Gaikwad family were seen completing formalities to take custody of the bodies of all three family members. Sanjay Asure, one of the relatives, said, “They [Gaikwad’s] shifted in this building eight months ago. Earlier, they lived in the opposite building but rent here was cheaper. We heard about the incident on Monday night through our relatives who stay in a nearby building. We were praying they would survive, but all three perished in the mishap.”

An official from Rajawadi hospital said all the deceased were identified and their families were in the process of claiming the bodies.