Building collapse toll rises to 33

MUMBAI: The death toll in the Bhendi Bazaar building collapse has risen to 33, with more bodies being recovered from the debris of the 5-storey structure.

Twenty-two hours after the Hussaini building collapsed at Bhendi Bazaar, rescue operations were called off on Friday morning, with authorities confident that no more people were trapped under the debris.

The official death toll in the tragedy rose to 33, which included a 20-da-old child. Fourteen of the injured are receiving treatment at the Sir JJ Hospital.

As a precautionary measures some of the firemen and the policemen will remain at the accident site. “We had to call off the rescue operation because all of the bodies and injured have been rescued by our team. It seems there is no one left under the debris. But some of our personnel will be staying at the site,” said a senior official of the fire brigade.

Around 14 people injured in the collapse are undergoing treatment at the staterun JJ Hospital. “11 people are under treatment at the hospital right now, four are being shifted to the Saifee Hospital and two were discharged after treatment,” said Dr. Tatyarao Lahane, Dean of JJ Hospital.

He added that three fire brigade personnel were also admitted for treatment as they had sustained minor injuries. “A total of 33 people have died, including a 20-day old male child. Apart from these, 11 are currently admitted to the hospital, of which 9 are residents of the building. Two persons are in a critical state,” said Dr. Lahane.