Atleast 9 killed as 4 storey building collapses in Bhiwandi, rescue ops on

At least nine people were killed after a four-storey residential building collapsed in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi late Thursday night, with several others feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams are continuing search operations at the site.According to agency reports, the building, comprising 48 rooms with 12 on each floor, collapsed at around 11.30 pm. The Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation had earlier declared the structure dangerous, and repair work was underway when the incident occurred.

VIDEO | Bhiwandi Building Collapse: Thane Collector Srikrishna Panchal, says, "Repair work on the building had begun here... however, the repair work was started without obtaining permission from the municipal corporation. When the ward officer was informed, he reached the site… pic.twitter.com/mZZOq1Q1Dj

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Residents said they heard loud cracking sounds from the building around 9 pm, prompting locals to alert the authorities. Several families were evacuated as a precaution. However, while some occupants were still making their way out, the building's B Wing suddenly collapsed.Officials said nine bodies have been recovered from the rubble so far, with most of the deceased believed to be workers engaged in repair work. Six people have been rescued from the debris, while an injured boy was pulled out and rushed to a nearby hospital. Authorities fear a few more people may still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
A large-scale rescue operation involving multiple agencies is underway. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), the local fire brigade and police are carrying out search and rescue efforts. A dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances and heavy earth-moving machinery have also been deployed.
Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation Assistant Municipal Commissioner Arvind Ghogare said officials rushed to the spot after receiving information that the building had developed cracks."When we reached, we saw that the building was cracking up. We went inside with our team and evacuated the residents," he said.Ghogare said most occupants left the building after being asked to evacuate, although some initially hesitated. He added that the building, believed to be just over a decade old, was undergoing illegal repair work at the time of the collapse."While the residents were brought out, the workers engaged in the repair work did not come out. About five of them are believed to be inside," he said, adding that the building collapsed just minutes after the evacuation.Authorities said rescue operations are continuing as teams race against time to locate and evacuate those still trapped beneath the rubble.