One killed in mudslide at Ghatkopar

An 18-year-old man died and four people were injured in a mudslide at Ghatkopar on Tuesday afternoon.

An 18-year-old man died and four people were injured in a mudslide at Ghatkopar on Tuesday afternoon.

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The incident occurred in the densely populated Rajiv Nagar slum near Asalpha during Tuesday’s downpour.

At least nine shanties located at the base of the hillock were crushed. Witnesses said boulders came tumbling down the hillock and fell on the shanties, trapping people.

The deceased, Altaf Sheikh, was taking a shower when a huge boulder crushed his shanty, killing him instantly. "We recovered his battered body later,” said a resident of the slum, Vinod Tawde. "Altaf was getting ready to go for Ramzan prayers,” said Sohail Sheikh, a relative.

Residents rescued a 38-year-old woman, identified as Sangeeta, and her two teenaged sons. A middle-aged labourer also sustained minor injuries.

Police, fire brigade and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel carried out the rescue operation.

"I was returning home after dropping my daughter off at school when I heard a loud noise,” said Anjali Sharma, a homemaker who moved to the area six months ago. "I am so scared. I want to move out.”