At least nine people lost their lives after the four-storey Kohinoor Building collapsed late last night in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra. Rescue and relief operations are being conducted on a war footing by the fire brigade, police and civic authorities.
State’s Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan visited the accident site this morning and took a detailed review of the rescue operations. He announced a financial assistance of five lakh rupees for the families of the deceased.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over death of people in the building collapse. Prime Minister Modi has announced an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees for the next of kin of each deceased and a financial assistance of fifty thousand rupees for the injured.
Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, local civic authority had declared the building as dilapidated. He added that while some families had already moved out, a few refused to move.
Stating that life is precious, the Chief Minister said citizens must adhere to the corporation’s orders and relocate to safer locations as necessary repairs are carried out. He added a FIR will be registered against the contractor who proceeded with the repairs, despite the building being partially occupied.