14 Dead, 74 Injured, Billboard Collapses In Mumbai

At least 14 people were killed and 74 others injured after a 100-foot-tall billboard collapsed in Mumbai during a dust storm and heavy rain. The illegal billboard fell on a petrol pump at Cheddanagar Junction in the Ghatkopar area.

"Seventy-four people have been admitted to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. One is in critical condition, and a total of four people have died in this incident. Additionally, we have learned that four others are said to have died," said BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani.

Following the hoarding collapse, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a compensation of five lakh rupees for the kin of the deceased. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the scene a few hours after the incident to rescue those trapped under the rubble. The BMC Commissioner stated that 20 to 30 people are still trapped.

Flight operations at Mumbai airport were suspended for an hour on Monday, and local trains were delayed amid unseasonal rains and a dust storm. Mumbai traffic police reported slow vehicular movement at Pooja Junction (Wadala) North Bound and Freeway Tunnel Trombay South due to the fallen hoarding.

In a related incident, scaffolding collapsed in Wadala. At 4:22 pm, the metal/steel parking near Shree Ji Tower collapsed at Barkat Ali Naka, Wadala (E), trapping one person inside a car. The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) is conducting a rescue operation.

According to BMC, a branch of an Umbar tree fell from the private Khimji Palace on Hill Road in Bandra, trapping two individuals beneath a weather shed made of asbestos sheets. Abdul Khan, 38, sustained serious injuries, and Irfan Khan, 35, was killed.

In Jogeshwari Meghwadi Naka, a tree was uprooted by strong winds, resulting in one person being injured and an autorickshaw being damaged.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a yellow alert for parts of the city for 13 May, warning of heavy rains, thunderstorms and gusty winds, especially in Thane and Raigad districts. The IMD posted on X: "A fresh spell of heat wave likely to commence over Northwest India from 16 May 2024. Wet spell with isolated heavy rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms, lightning & gusty winds very likely over south Peninsular India till 17 May 2024."