8 dead, many feared trapped in Mumbai building collapse

At least eight people were killed in India when a three-story residential building collapsed before dawn on Monday and a disaster agency official said up to 25 people were believed to be trapped in the ruins.

According to Press TV, local television showed video of rescuers sifting through rubble around the edges of the collapsed building in Bhiwandi, on the outskirts of Mumbai. Rescue personnel are refraining from using heavy machinery out of fears that the remainder of the building could collapse, local television reported.

Reuters partner ANI quoted the spokesman of Bhiwandi municipal corporation as saying eight people were dead. ANI also reported a child had been rescued. Satya Pradhan, the Chief of the National Disaster Response Force, said in a tweet that 20 to 25 people were reportedly trapped, and rescue teams had been dispatched.

Building collapses are commonplace in India, particularly during the seasonal monsoon rains, due to old and often illegal construction. There was no immediate reason provided for the latest incident in Bhiwandi.

ME