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Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: A day after a 100-feet hoarding collapsed in Ghatkopar area, killing 14 people and injuring many, a massive traffic was reported on Eastern Express Highway towards Mulund due to the ongoing rescue operations. Several visuals surfaced on social media platform X showed massive traffic jams on the highway.
The incident was reported as a illegal billboard fell at a petrol pump in Ghatkopar during dust storms and unseasonal rains that lashed Mumbai on Monday, as per civic officials. In the incient, as many as 74 people were left injured in the incident. Commuters expressed concern due to the massive traffic jam on the expressway.
VIDEO | Maharashtra: Massive traffic jam on Eastern Express Highway towards Mulund due to the ongoing rescue operations at #Ghatkopar hoarding collapse site in Mumbai. #MumbaiNews
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4) pic.twitter.com/btuIuHZKTD
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 14, 2024
In the meantime, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar ensured stringent action against those responsible for the tragic incident.
In a post on X, Phansalkar said, “Heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate mishap at Ghatkopar. @MumbaiPolice team is on the spot in the rescue operation. We assure citizens that stringent legal action will be taken against those responsible for this mishap.”
After the incident was reported, a police complaint was filed against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of M/s Ego Media Private Limited and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code at Pant Nagar police station, another official said.
According to the National Disaster Rescue Force, 74 people have been rescued alive from the spot, while 14 have been declared dead. The count of total victims stands at 88.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been conducting rescue operation for those trapped since Monday evening, when the incident happened due to heavy rains and strong winds.
NDRF Inspector Gaurav Chauhan told ANI, “The incident was reported at around 5 pm. A huge advertising hoarding fell on a petrol pump. Around 65 people have been rescued. NDRF has rescued three people and located four dead bodies under the rubble. We are unable to use hydraulic and gasoline equipment to avoid any fire incident. We are using cranes to remove the debris. NDRF has rescued three victims. Before that 65 had been rescued. The rescue operations will continue till the morning.”
Notably, Mumbai police have registered a case under IPC 304, 338, 337, and 34 against owner Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Shinde also said that the government will bear all expenses for the treatment of those injured.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar have condoled deaths of eight people and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
