Thane, Maharashtra – In a devastating incident that unfolded during the early hours of Sunday, an infant and a woman lost their lives, and several others were injured as a residential building collapsed in the heart of Thane district. The tragic event occurred in the Dhobi Talao area of Bhiwandi town, sending shockwaves through the community.
The ill-fated single-storey building, which comprised six flats and was situated on Durga Road, crumbled at 12:35 a.m. The catastrophe unfolded swiftly, leaving bystanders and first responders grappling with the aftermath.
The victims have been identified as 40-year-old Uzma Atif Momin and 8-month-old Taslima Mosar Momin, both of whom tragically lost their lives. Additionally, four women and a 65-year-old man sustained injuries during the collapse. Fortunately, they were promptly admitted to a nearby hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
The Thane Municipal Corporation’s disaster management cell, under the leadership of Yasin Tadvi, was swift to respond to the catastrophe. The Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF) and fire personnel from the Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation rushed to the scene after receiving the alert.
A painstaking search and rescue operation ensued, lasting through the night. As a result, seven individuals were successfully extracted from the debris, marking a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.
The entire operation, including search, rescue, and debris removal, was concluded around 3:30 a.m. While the immediate response has been commendable, questions regarding the age and structural integrity of the building remain unanswered.
Local authorities are now working diligently to uncover the building’s age and whether it was categorized as a dangerous structure. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of building safety and underscores the need for stringent structural assessments to prevent such heart-wrenching accidents in the future.
The entire community mourns the loss of innocent lives and extends its support to the injured victims and their families during this challenging time.
