The recent building collapse in Bhiwandi has resulted in the tragic loss of nine lives. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his sorrow regarding the incident and directed authorities to file an Immediate First Information Report (FIR) against those accountable. The Chief Minister labelled the situation as “extremely tragic” and conveyed his condolences to the families affected.

In a statement issued on X, CM Fadnavis emphasised that the state government stands in solidarity with the grieving families. He stated, “The incident in Bhiwandi where a building collapse resulted in the death of some people is extremely tragic. I offer my heartfelt condolences to them. We share in the grief of these families.” He assured that swift action would be taken against the guilty parties involved.

Fadnavis added that treatment for the injured individuals is being provided and he prayed for their swift recovery. The incident occurred late on Thursday night when a section of the four-storey Kohinoor Building in Gangaram Wadi, Narapoli collapsed, leading to the discovered fatalities.

Rescue Operations Underway With Concerns for Missing Individuals

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has reported that rescue operations are still ongoing as three to four individuals are feared to be trapped beneath the rubble. Officials confirmed that Collector Officer Krishna Panchal has arrived at the site to oversee the rescue efforts. Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan is also anticipated to visit the location soon.

Personnel from the NDRF, Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), local fire brigade teams, police, and district administration officials are actively engaged in the search and rescue operations. They have been employing specialised equipment to facilitate these efforts.

The collapse of the building took place between 11 pm and 11:30 pm on Thursday. Reports indicate that a portion of the ‘B Wing’ of the residential structure gave way during the night. Following the incident, NDRF officials were involved in the rescue operation, and one Assistant Commandant reportedly sustained injuries.

Building Declared Dangerous Prior to Collapse

According to the Thane Municipal Corporation Disaster Management Cell, the structure had been declared unsafe by the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation prior to the incident. Despite this classified status, repair work was allegedly in progress at the time the collapse occurred.

Residents had previously reported hearing cracking sounds emanating from the building several hours before the collapse, which prompted local inhabitants to evacuate some families. However, a number of occupants remained inside and became trapped when the structure ultimately failed.

As rescue operations continued, officials indicated that a thorough investigation would follow once the situation stabilised. The community has been left in shock by the event, which underscores ongoing concerns regarding building safety regulations in the region.

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