Rediff

Mumbai, Dec 14:  MUMBAI: Five persons were killed and 17 others injured when an under repair single-storeyed building collapsed in suburban Borivali today after a supporting structure gave way.

The building, located in the Shimpoli area of the north-west suburb, had been abandoned by most of the residents due to its dilapidated condition, police said.

Most of the people residing in the building were labourers, who were working on its repair and had erected supporting structures, one of which gave way leading to the collapse, police said.

The building was being repaired since it was to provide temporary accommodation to persons living in nearby slums, designated for redevelopment, they said.

Fire teams and rescue workers rushed to the spot to extricate those trapped under the rubble. Five persons were declared dead after being taken to the Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali while 17 are still undergoing treatment there.

Fire officials said rescue operations had been completed and debris were being removed from the site.