17 people lost their lives when a part of an illegal building collapsed in Virar in Palghar district of Maharashtra. A mother-daughter duo was also among the dead. Rescue operations are underway after the accident and NDRF teams are present at the spot. The police have taken the builder of the building into custody. The affected families have been accommodated in relief camps.

A heartbreaking incident took place in Virar in Palghar district of Maharashtra. A part of an illegal four-storey building collapsed on Wednesday. 17 people lost their lives in this accident, including a mother-daughter duo.

One person is seriously injured, while relief and rescue operations are still going on in full swing. The incident happened around 12:05 am on Wednesday when the rear portion of Ramabai Apartment suddenly collapsed. The building was built in 2012, but it was completely illegal.

After the incident, the police have taken the builder of the building into custody. This action was taken on the complaint of Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC).

Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in relief work at the spot. Palghar District Collector Indu Rani Jakhar said that more people are feared to be trapped under the debris.

Search for people trapped in the debris continues

More than 24 hours have passed since the accident, but rescue operations are still going on. So far 17 people have been found, of which 14 have died, one is injured and two have been rescued safely.

Initially, the work of removing the debris had to be done manually, because heavy machines were not able to reach the narrow area. Now the debris is being removed with the help of machines. VVMC Assistant Commissioner Gilson Gonsalves said that now the work is going on at a fast pace.

District Disaster Management Officer Vivekanand Kadam said that the chawl on which the building collapsed was empty, which prevented major damage. Other nearby chawls have also been evacuated and the people living there have been sent to safer places.

Illegal building and homeless families

There were a total of 50 flats in Ramabai Apartment, of which 12 were in the portion that collapsed. VVMC clarified that the building was constructed without permission.

This accident has rendered many families homeless. The affected people are currently being accommodated in Chandansar Samaj Mandir, where they are being provided with food, water, medicines and other essential items.

PC:Jagran