Mumbai storm – tragedy struck as a massive dust storm caused a 250-tonne hoarding to collapse on Monday, claiming the lives of 16 people, including a retired Air Traffic Control (ATC) manager and his wife.
Retired ATC manager Manoj Chansoria, 60, and his wife Anita, 59, were found dead inside their car on Wednesday night after the 100-foot hoarding collapsed onto a petrol pump in east Mumbai. The couple, who had recently moved to Jabalpur, was in Mumbai for visa formalities for Ms. Chansoria.
After completing their tasks, they were on their way back to Jabalpur when they stopped to refuel at the Ghatkopar pump and were caught in the storm. Concerned when calls went unanswered, their son in the US sought help from a friend in Mumbai, who filed a missing complaint. Police traced the couple’s last known location to the Ghatkopar petrol pump through their mobile phones.
Friends and relatives gathered at the site, hoping for their rescue. Unfortunately, 16 people lost their lives, while 41 sustained serious injuries in the collapse. Thirty-four survivors were discharged from various hospitals in Mumbai after treatment.
Search and rescue operations ceased after all bodies were recovered from the debris. The 120×120 feet hoarding, despite exceeding the city’s size limit of 40×40 feet, was erected by an advertising agency owned by Bhavesh Bhinde, who faces culpable homicide charges. Bhinde has a history of legal issues, including a rape case.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased and pledged to cover the treatment costs of the injured. The tragic incident underscores the risks posed by such massive structures, particularly in coastal areas prone to high-speed winds.
Source: NDTV