Mumbai (Maharashtra): Rescue personnel continued their efforts for the third consecutive day on Wednesday to retrieve people buried under the debris of the massive hoarding collapse in the Ghatkopar area of Mumbai.
According to the National Disaster Rescue Force, 74 people were rescued alive from the spot, while 14 were declared dead.
NDRF personnel have been conducting rescue operations for those trapped since Monday evening, when the billboard collapsed due to heavy rains and strong winds.
However, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut today said, "Not 14, now 18 people have died."
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 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 the deaths of eight people and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
A total of 44 people were admitted to the hospital and 31 were discharged after treatment on Tuesday.
The State Disaster Management Authority stated that the NDRF, ambulance, fire team, and ambulance are carrying out rescue operations.
