The death toll in the building collapse incident in Maharashtra’s Raigad district has reached 16, news agency ANI reported. Rescue operation is still underway to look for survivors under the rubble of the building which collapsed on Monday evening in Mahad town, some 170 km from state capital Mumbai.
More than 60 people have been rescued so far, and teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire brigade are at the spot carrying out the rescue work.
On Tuesday, a four-year-old child was pulled out alive from the debris of the five-storey building which had 45 flats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed grief over the incident and assured of all help. “Saddened by the building collapse in Mahad, Raigad in Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon. Local authorities and NDRF teams are at the site of the tragedy, providing all possible assistance,” PM Modi had said in his tweet.
Home Minister Amit Shah said he has spoken to NDRF DG to provide all necessary help.