Death toll rises to 14 in Mumbai hoarding collapse incident.
Additionally, 43 individuals sustained injuries in the aftermath of the Mumbai hoarding collapse tragedy.
The death toll from the Mumbai hoarding collapse tragedy reached 14, as four more individuals passed away due to their injuries in hospital, as per BMC Disaster Control on Tuesday. Additionally, 43 people were injured, with some in critical condition, while over 30 injured victims were discharged after treatment.
The incident occurred following a sudden dust storm accompanied by strong winds and subsequent rains, which wreaked havoc in the city on Monday noon. The aftermath of the disaster highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent such incidents and underscores the importance of swift emergency response and medical care for the injured.
A massive advertising hoarding erected by a private party toppled over and crashed onto several homes and a petrol pump in Pant Magar around 4:15 p.m., causing injuries and trapping numerous individuals.
Late into Monday night, teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Maharashtra Disaster Response Force (MDRF), and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) worked tirelessly to rescue over 60 people trapped beneath the debris of the collapsed hoarding.
Additionally, two more fatalities occurred in other duststorm-related incidents, which disrupted road traffic and caused a 66-minute delay in airport operations.
Responding promptly to the calamity, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Mumbai Police to launch a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy.
“I have also instructed the BMC authorities to conduct a special audit of all hoardings in Mumbai and remove any illegal structures from the city,” stated Shinde during a media briefing, while announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased individual.
The incidents underscore the urgent need for stringent regulations and enforcement measures to ensure public safety, particularly regarding the installation and maintenance of large structures such as advertising hoardings and parking lots.
The tragic events have shaken the city, prompting authorities to reevaluate existing safety protocols and take necessary steps to prevent similar mishaps in the future.
Efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and response mechanisms are crucial to mitigating the impact of such unforeseen incidents and safeguarding the lives and property of residents.
As rescue operations continue and investigations unfold, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and preventing further tragedies through proactive measures and robust regulatory oversight.