Published: 12:01 AM, 15 May 2024
Mumbai's billboard collapse kills 14; police open probe
Videos showed the giant hoarding billowing in the wind before it collapsed on houses and a fuel station next to a busy road in the eastern suburb of Ghatkopar. -Reuters Police in India's financial capital have opened a criminal case against the owner of a huge billboard that collapsed on a petrol station and killed 14 people, media reports said on May 14.
The giant 70m by 50m hoarding in Mumbai's east collapsed on May 13 as fierce winds buffeted the city, accompanied by rain and dust storms, AFP reports.
The local authorities confirmed on May 14 that 14 people had died in the accident and 75 more were injured, with rescue operations still under way.
"Medical treatment is currently being provided to 44 injured individuals, with 31 already discharged after receiving treatment," the city's municipal corporation said in a post on social media platform X."Unfortunately, 14 people... died," it added. "Rescue operations are ongoing at the site."
"Medical treatment is currently being provided to 44 injured individuals, with 31 already discharged after receiving treatment," the city's municipal corporation said in a post on social media platform X."Unfortunately, 14 people... died," it added. "Rescue operations are ongoing at the site."
Mr Gaurav Chauhan of the National Disaster Response Force told AFP that the billboard's collapse on top of a petrol pump had complicated rescue efforts.
"We are not able to use equipment in case of fire and other hazards... so we are using heavy cranes just to remove the debris," he said.
Media reports said Mumbai police had filed a culpable homicide case against the owner of Ego Media, the company identified as having installed the signage. There was no sign that the owner had been taken into police custody.
Media reports said Mumbai police had filed a culpable homicide case against the owner of Ego Media, the company identified as having installed the signage. There was no sign that the owner had been taken into police custody.
City councillor Rakhee Jadhav said that the collapse was avoidable, blaming shoddy construction.
"This is not a disaster. If this hoarding had been properly installed... these casualties would have not happened," she said.
"This area is marshland and it is also a low-lying area," she added.
"This is not a disaster. If this hoarding had been properly installed... these casualties would have not happened," she said.
"This area is marshland and it is also a low-lying area," she added.
"The foundation of that hoarding should have gone more near the rock."
The storm that hit Mumbai on May 13 uprooted trees and caused brief power outages in various neighbourhoods around the city, also disrupting the city's train network.
Mumbai's international airport temporarily grounded flights and at least 15 planes were diverted.
Mr Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra state, said on the evening of May 13 that his government had ordered a structural audit of all billboards in Mumbai to prevent any repeat of the accident elsewhere.
Mr Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra state, said on the evening of May 13 that his government had ordered a structural audit of all billboards in Mumbai to prevent any repeat of the accident elsewhere.
His deputy Devendra Fadnavis said on X that his government had ordered a "high-level inquiry" into the accident.
The state government would also make compensation payments of US$6,000 (S$8,100) to the relatives of those who were killed, he added.
The state government would also make compensation payments of US$6,000 (S$8,100) to the relatives of those who were killed, he added.
