At least three people were killed after a four-storey residential building collapsed in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, late on 31 July.
Officials fear seven to eight people are still trapped under the debris, and a large rescue operation is underway.
The Kohinoor Building in Balaji Nagar, a locality in Bhiwandi’s powerloom area, partially collapsed at around 11.30 pm, officials said.
One body recovered, injured boy rescued
Rescue teams recovered one body from the debris and pulled out an injured boy, who was taken to a nearby hospital.
Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation Fire Officer Vijay Jadhav said one body had been recovered and rescue teams were continuing efforts to locate those still trapped.
Building had already been declared unsafe
The building had 48 rooms, with 12 rooms on each of its four floors. Municipal officials said it had already been declared unsafe, and repair work was underway when the collapse occurred.
Earlier, at around 9 pm, residents reportedly heard loud cracking sounds from the building.
Fearing a collapse, local residents helped evacuate several families. However, while some people were still leaving the building, the B Wing collapsed, officials said.
Rescue operation underway
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force, the local fire brigade and other emergency agencies are carrying out rescue operations.
A dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances and heavy earth-moving machinery have been deployed to search for survivors trapped under the rubble.
