Mumbai building collapse | 2 pigeons rescued alive from debris in Kurla

This is the third major building collapse incident in the metropolis this month. On June 23, a slab of a two-storey industrial structure collapsed in Chembur area, killing a man and injuring 10 others.

Two pigeons were rescued alive from the debris after a four-storey building in Mumbai's Kurla collapsed late Monday night, leaving 18 people dead and many others badly injured. The pigeons were saved by members of the disaster response squad. Photos shared by news agency ANI showed NDRF officials holding one of the rescued pigeons as they give it some water.

NDRF officials giving water to the rescued pigeon. (ANI)

One section of the building - in the Naik Nagar society - collapsed while another has been evacuated because it too is in dilapidated condition, said officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Reports indicate over 23 people have been rescued from the debris since midnight Monday. Around a dozen fire engines and two NDRF teams have been deployed in the rescue operations. Police are also involved in the search and rescue operation.

Residents of the building had been repeatedly warned about its condition but they insisted on staying there, a senior official told news agency PTI.

The residents had even given an undertaking that they would continue to live there at their own risk and cost, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide was quoted as saying.

Minister Aaditya Thackeray visited the site and said the property should be vacated after BMC’s notice. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray announced compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of those killed.

This is the third major building collapse incident in the metropolis this month. On June 23, a slab of a two-storey industrial structure collapsed in Chembur area, killing a man and injuring 10 others. On June 9, a three-storey residential building collapsed in suburban Bandra, where a 55-year-old man was killed and 18 others suffered injuries.