Nine persons killed after building collapses in Thane district after heavy rains

Thane (Maharashtra): At least nine persons were killed and 10 others injured after a four-storey building housing 20 families collapsed in Thakurli in Thane district.[caption id="attachment_2369426" align="alignleft" width="380" class=" "] Image courtesy-PTI[/caption]The building 'Matruchaya', built 35 years ago, collapsed on Tuesday night at Cholve village, following which rescue operations were launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade officials and civic authorities said on Wednesday.At least 12 fire engines were rushed to the spot and 15 people were pulled out of the rubble of the three-decade old structure that collapsed late Tuesday.The incident occurred around 10.15 p.m. on Tuesday night when the tenement collapsed in the Cholegaon area of the town following heavy downpour.At the time of collapse, 20 families were inside the building.The deceased have been identified as P V Easwaran (67), Usha Kushan (49), Pratik Hajiriya (7), Usha Sundaram and Francis Nadar (44). One of the deceased is yet to beidentified.The injured are said to have been admitted to a local hospital in Dombivili.Heavy rains, a narrow approach road and a power breakdown hampered relief and rescue efforts. Top police and civilian officials were present at the spot.A four-storey building at Thakurli in Thane district collapsed tonight, in which several persons are feared to have been trapped, an official said.Fire brigade teams from Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and Ambernath have been rushed to the site, a disaster management official said.With inputs by agencies