Mumbai: A total of 15 people residing in a ground plus two-storey chawl in Bharat Nagar slum, Bandra East were injured after the top floor structure collapsed on Friday early morning. The injured include eight males, including a minor and seven females. Two victims suffered severe burn injuries and are in critical condition. The structure collapsed following cylinder blast, which resulted after a flash fire due to gas leakage.
As per the preliminary information, the top two floor were temporary structures and now strong constructions build with cement concrete. The local BMC ward office and police are investigating if the top two floors were constructed with permissions or were unauthorised.
"A G+2 floored MS Sheet, load bearing ACC steel structure in area of about 30x30 feet collapsed. The chawl is located in Bharat Nagar near Namaj Committee Masjid, Bandra East. The incident was reported at 5.56 am and at 7.51 the Mumbai Fire Brigade declared it as Level II disaster incident as more than 12 people were trapped under the debris. By 10.20 pm, 12 people were rescued and rescue operation for remaining continued till noon," information provided by the BMC disaster management said.
"There was a flash fire due to gas leakage. This resulted in a cylinder blast, collapsing the structure. The structure was not a concrete one. The authorities will investigate if it was authorised," said an official.
All 15 injured were taken to Bandra's BMC-run Bhabha hospital. Two of the victims, Rehana Ansari (65) and Mohd Ansari (68) suffered 50% burn injuries and were shifted to KEM hospital. Both are in critical condition. One of the injured was discharged by Friday evening, and others continue to be admitted in Bhabha hospital.
