Mahad building collapse: FIR lodged against five accused; search and rescue operations underway

Raigad Police has registered a case against five people over Raigad Building collapse. The FIR against the five accused has been registered under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code, sources said on Tuesday.

A day after a five-storeyed building in Maharashtra's Raigad district collapsed, rescue personnel continued to sift through the rubble in search of survivors, while two people have lost their lives and 18 are still feared trapped. 

An official at the Mantralaya State Control Room of the State Disaster Management Unit said the Tarek Garden building collapsed at Kajalpura in Mahad tehsil around 7 pm.

There were around 40 flats in the building, the official said, adding those rescued were shifted to a local hospital at Mahad, which is around 170 km from Mumbai.

Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are at the spot for rescue operations. Canine squads were also deployed at the scene of the collapse, an official said.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also spoke to the district officials and asked them to expedite the rescue and relief work, another official said. 

Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the dead.

Saddened by the building collapse in Mahad, Raigad in Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon. Local authorities and NDRF teams are at the site of the tragedy, providing all possible assistance: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2020

Maharashtra: Raigad Police registers case against five people over Raigad Building collapse.

At least two people have lost their lives and 18 are still feared trapped at the incident site. Latest visuals of search & rescue operation by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). pic.twitter.com/0EZouiNMau

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2020