Abandoned building collapses on passers-by in Mumbai, one killed

A 38-year-old man was killed and a 12-year-old boy injured when a slab from a balcony of a vacated building collapsed on the adjoining footpath in Nalasopara (East) on Sunday.

A 38-year-old man was killed and a 12-year-old boy injured when a slab from a balcony of a vacated building collapsed on the adjoining footpath in Nalasopara (East) on Sunday.

The police are looking at whether the mishap is a result of negligence. "Around 1.30pm, a third-floor balcony of Modi society collapsed on two people walking on the footpath. They were rushed to a local hospital, where Rajesh Prajapati was declared dead on arrival," said an official from Nalasopara police station. The 12-year-old boy, Vikas Yadav, was discharged after treatment.

"The building was in a precarious state and was vacated a few years ago. The civic body had served notice for vacating it and a court case concerning it is going on," the official said.

Mukund Mahajan, senior inspector, Nalasopara police station, said they are obtaining details of the trust that owns the building. "If there has been negligence, the accused will be booked."