Mumbai building collapse: Death toll rises to 18; PM Modi expresses grief

Mumbai: The death toll in the building collapse tragedy in Mumbai's Kurla area rose to 18 on Tuesday evening while 14 persons were injured, civic officials said.

Of 32 people rescued from the debris of the building located in Naik Nagar society since midnight, 18 were declared brought dead at hospitals.

Five are admitted in hospitals and nine others were discharged after treatment, officials said.

Birju Majhi (21), Rahul Majhi (23), Pappu Majhi (35) and Mahesh Majhi (40) were declared brought dead at hospitals in the evening.

Notably, NDRF teams rescued two pigeons alive from under the debris nearly 18 hours after the incident.

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The search and rescue operation is still underway, officials said.

Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the loss of lives.

He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

A PMO tweet quoting the prime minister said, "Pained by the building collapse in Mumbai. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000."

Meanwhile,  Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also announced ex-gratia aid of Rs 5 lakh each from the CM's relief fund to the next of kin of the persons who were killed in the building collapse, an official statement said.

The expenses of medical treatment of the injured will be borne by the state government, the statement added.

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