Mahim collapse toll is 10; building altered illegally?

As rescue operations continued at Mahim’s Aftab Mansion, a portion of which collapsed on Monday night, the death toll rose to 10 and the number of injured to seven. HT reports.

As rescue operations continued at Mahim’s Aftab Mansion, a portion of which collapsed on Monday night, the death toll rose to 10 and the number of injured to seven.

HT Image

Eight bodies were pulled out from the debris and rescue work continued till late in the night on Tuesday, with locals reporting that three to four more people were missing and are suspected to be trapped under the rubble.

While there is no official confirmation, residents and locals allege that the building collapsed because of lack of maintenance and illegal alterations made to pillars on the ground floor and the basement, which were being used as an automobile showroom and a furniture workshop.

Of the six families who lived in the building, two suffered the brunt of the collapse — the Lakhas, who lived on the first floor, have lost five members, while advocate Rizwan Merc-hant has lost three.

Civic officials said the building was not in its list of dangerous buildings. Both the civic body and the police will conduct probes to determine the cause of the collapse.