Mumbai building collapse death toll rises to 23

The death toll in the Dockyard area building collapse in Mumbai has risen to 23.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Management cell has confirmed this.

According to the Disaster Management Cell, 18 people have been rescued from the debris, while 32 people have been injured, and are being treated at Mumbai's J J Hospital.

Fire brigade and National Disaster Response Force officials are supervising the relief and rescue operations, even as many people are said to be still trapped in the building debris that once housed about 22 families.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan visited the spot late last night and announced a compensation of Rs. one lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to seriously injured persons.

The local police has registered a case against decorator Ashok Mehta, the owner of Mamamiya Decorators for illegal renovation affecting the stability of the building, he said.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray also visited the J.J Hospital and met the injured persons. The BMC has also announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh for the kin of dead. It will also bear the entire medical expenses of all the injured.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Mumbai Mayor Sunil Prabhu said that a committee has been appointed to look into the reasons for the collapse.

The incident occurred on Friday morning near the Babugenu market in the vicinity of Dockyard Road station.