Several people feared trapped as seven storey building collapses in Mumbai

A 'highly dilapidated' seven-story building collapsed in Mumbai on Friday with several people feared trapped under the rubble.

A resident of the area Frederick D'soulva said that the local municipal corporation had deemed the building unsafe for living and had given several eviction notices to the residents, but a lawyer staying in the building refused to vacate the place.

"This mishap happened around 11:45 am. Last week BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) gave a notice of demolition for the building. Earlier also on many occasions the BMC had given a notice quoting it as 'highly dangerous' and declared it in category 'C' saying that it could fall any time," said D'soulva.

It was still unclear how many people were trapped under the debris of the collapsed building but according to the locals at the site, only two families were staying in the building while most others left it following the order.

The two remaining families challenged the eviction order and got stay from the high court only on the condition that they would live at their own risk.

At least six people have been rescued till now, according to the latest reports.

"On the ground floor, three people are still trapped and one has been rescued. One, they say, is admitted in a hospital. Another man has serious injuries and is in coma," D'soulva added.

The rubble of the collapsed building fell onto an adjoining slum area, and residents said that most of the injured were slum dwellers.

Fire brigade and police officials have reached the site.