Maharashtra: Eleven killed in Bhiwandi building collapse

Meanwhile, 13 people trapped under the debris have been rescued and some of them sent for treatment, said Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde as he rushed to the site within hours of the infrastructural mishap.

Talking to media persons, Minister Shinde also announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the kin of the deceased, adding that a probe will be initiated too.

Overseeing the NDRF's ongoing rescue operations, he mentioned that a total of 102 dangerous buildings in the powerloom town of Bhiwandi have already been evacuated.

Based on the complaint of civic officials, offenses under relevant IPC sections have been filed against the building's owner Sayyed Ahmed Jilani, said Bhiwandi DCP Rajkumar Shinde.

Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation chief Pankaj Ashiya said that the doomed building needed repairs.

However, the work could not be carried out owing to the Covid-19 crisis.

Expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Saddened by the building collapse in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for a quick recovery of those injured. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected."