Shiva Sena Leader Arrested; Death Toll In Mumbai Building Collapse Reaches 17

Mumbai: The overnight death toll reached 17 in the building collapse at Ghatkopar area on Tuesday. This building belonged to Shiv Sena leader Sunil Sitap who was arrested after an inquiry on Wednesday.

After meeting the victims and residents, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry as the residents alleged that the tragedy was caused by the renovation work being carried out in a nursing home on the ground floor, owned by Sitap. Sitap took renovation to convert his hospital to a guest house.

Rescue operations are still continued as some people trapped under the rubble. The injured were shifted to neighboring hospital at the area. Teams of Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Fire Brigade and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were continuing with the search operation. So far they have rescued 28 persons but a few more were still feared trapped under the remains.

The building was a 35-year-old structure, which housed around 15 families.