2 killed in Mumbai's Ghatkopar landslide, rescue operations underway
Two persons were killed and as many others injured after a landslide in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area early on Wednesday following heavy rain, civic officials said.
Some people were feared trapped in the debris and rescue efforts were underway, they said.
The landslide was reported at Gaushiya Chawl (row tenement) in the Ashok Nagar locality of Chirag Nagar at 3.48 am, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said.
A portion of soil and debris from the hillside collapsed onto two to three houses, causing casualties and damage, they said.
The rescue operation is challenging as the route to the affected area is extremely narrow, allowing only one person to pass through at a time and making it difficult to deploy heavy machinery, according to officials.
Two bodies have been recovered from the debris so far and sent to Rajawadi Hospital, as per BMC officials.
Two others, identified as Sohel Ansari (18), who suffered a head injury, and Mohamad Ansari (14), who sustained a back injury, were undergoing treatment at the civic-run Bhabha Hospital in Kurla. Both were in stable condition, an official said.
Search and rescue operations were underway, with teams of the fire brigade, police, NDRF, ambulance service and civic ward staff deployed at the site.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde reached the spot to supervise the rescue operation. She also met the affected families and offered them support.
The mayor announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 towards the medical treatment of each injured person.
She directed the agencies involved in the rescue operation to intensify their efforts and maintain coordination.
The administration was closely monitoring the situation and the ongoing rescue operation.
