Bhiwandi, three-storey building collapses killing at least 10

Seven of the victims are children. Another 20-25 are still trapped in the rubble. The building was over 40 years old and needed to be renovated. A building under construction also collapses in New Delhi. Accidents often caused by landslides due to monsoons. Msgr. D’Silva: The Catholic Church will do everything necessary to alleviate the suffering of the affected families.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - At least 10 people, seven of them children, died this morning in the collapse of a three-storey building in Bhiwandi (Maharashtra).

The local authorities confirmed the collapse occurred around 3.40 (local time). 40 rescuers rushed to the scene, extracting 11 people alive, including a minor; another 20-25 are still trapped in the rubble.

According to local media reports, the building was over 40 years old and needed renovation works, which were postponed due to the coronavirus emergency. 150 people lived in its 40 apartments.

The country is no stranger to tragedies of this nature. Also today, a building under construction collapsed in the Sitaram Bazar area of ​​New Delhi. At the moment, the authorities have counted one injured, but rescue operations are still ongoing.

On 25 August, a five-storey building in the residential area of ​​Mahad, 200 km south of Mumbai, collapsed. The incident resulted in the death of 16 people and dozens of injured.

Collapses and subsidence of entire buildings are not uncommon in India, especially during the rainy season or when monsoons rage, causing landslides.

Auxiliary bishop of Mumbai, Msgr. Allwyn D'Silva, declared that the Catholic Church will do everything necessary to alleviate the suffering of families affected by the tragedy of Bhiwandi.

“My heart goes to the families who have lost their loved ones”- he told AsiaNews. “I am deeply saddened by the severe suffering of the victims and survivors, in addition to those brought by the pandemic. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families; I pray for those who have lost their lives and for the healing of the wounded, and I ask God to console their families”.