The death toll from the hoarding collapse in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area has risen to 14, with 74 people injured, civic officials reported on Tuesday (May 14) morning. The 100-foot-tall illegal billboard fell at a petrol pump in Ghatkopar during the dust storms and unseasonal rains that struck Mumbai on Monday.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials stated that search and rescue operations continued at the Chheda Nagar-based petrol pump on Tuesday morning. Of the injured, 31 people have been discharged from Rajawadi Hospital, according to a BMC official.
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deploying two teams to assist the Mumbai Fire Brigade and other agencies.
Mumbai police chief assures strict action
Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar has announced that stringent action will be taken against those responsible for the hoarding collapse incident. In a post on his official X handle on Monday, Phansalkar said, “Heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate mishap at Ghatkopar. @MumbaiPolice team is on the spot in the rescue operation. We assure citizens that stringent legal action will be taken against those responsible for this mishap.”
Case registered against owner of hoarding
According to civic officials, the billboard was illegal and had been installed without the necessary permissions. A case has been registered at Pant Nagar police station against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of M/s Ego Media Private Limited, and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, according to another official.
CM Eknath Shinde announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the incident site late Monday evening and ordered a structural audit of all hoardings in the city. “The hoardings, if found illegal and dangerous, will be removed immediately,” he stated.
“This is a very unfortunate incident. The government will conduct a thorough investigation, and those responsible will face consequences. I have also instructed the BMC commissioner to carry out a structural audit of all hoardings in the city. Any hoardings deemed illegal and dangerous will be taken down,” Shinde told reporters.
“Rescuing the people is our priority. Government will take care of the treatment of those who are injured in the incident. Rs 5 lakh will be given to the family of those who have lost their lives. I have directed the concerned authorities to audit for all such hoardings in Mumbai,” he added.