Three dead in Zaveri Bazaar building collapse

Mumbai: Three workers succumbed to their injuries after they were buried under the rubble of a portion of the five-storey Shimpi Chawl, which collapsed in Zaveri Bazaar in south Mumbai around 1.30 pm on Friday.

The deceased, Safar Shaikh (26), Feroj Khan (23) and Rocky Shaikh (22), were part of a team of workers contracted by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to carry out repairs at the dilapidated building. Their bodies were extricated six and a half hours later by the fire brigade and taken to JJ Hospital, where they were declared dead. One worker is suspected to be trapped under the debris, said officials belonging to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s disaster management cell. A total of five fire engines, one rescue van and an ambulance were rushed to spot after collapse. The search operation to rescue the other two workers is still in progress.

“The residents were evacuated a long time ago from the structure, after which Mhada appointed a contractor to carry on the repair works,” said Jivak Gadgemal, assistant municipal commissioner of ‘C’ ward.  The disaster management cell confirmed that it’s a level II call, late in the evening. “We are filing an accidental death report and a preliminary probe is underway. In case, we find any lapse on the part of anybody, action will be taken,” DCP (zone 2) Dnyaneshwar Chavan told The Asian Age.

According to civic officials, Mhada’s repair work was on at the fourth floor when a flooring slab from a portion of the passage fell down along with portions of the floor slabs from the first, second and third floor. Locals revealed that the work is going on from the past 8-10 days.  

“I was sleeping in my room and suddenly heard a loud noise behind. I saw the slaps collapsing and rushed downstairs immediately,” said Sachin Deora, who owns a room in the front portion of the structure.