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Mumbai building collapse toll rises | Mumbai building collapse toll rises |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The death toll from the collapse of a building near the Indian city of Mumbai has risen to more than 70, police say. | |
The seven-storey block in Thane collapsed late on Thursday, with more than 100 people reportedly inside. | |
Building work was going on even though four floors were already occupied. At least 70 people were injured. | Building work was going on even though four floors were already occupied. At least 70 people were injured. |
Authorities said the block was one of many illegal high-rises in the Mumbai region, where demand for housing is driven by rapid population growth. | Authorities said the block was one of many illegal high-rises in the Mumbai region, where demand for housing is driven by rapid population growth. |
An investigation has been ordered, while a deputy municipal commissioner and senior police officer have been suspended for dereliction of duty and allegedly colluding with the builders. | An investigation has been ordered, while a deputy municipal commissioner and senior police officer have been suspended for dereliction of duty and allegedly colluding with the builders. |
Police were seeking the arrest of the builders, local police commissioner KP Raghuvanshi said. | Police were seeking the arrest of the builders, local police commissioner KP Raghuvanshi said. |
At least 19 children are among the 72 people confirmed to have died in the collapse. | |
Rescue workers used heavy equipment on Friday and through the night into Saturday to try to cut through the rubble, while rescue dogs searched for survivors. | |
More than 100 people are reported to have been pulled out alive, among them a 10-month-old girl. But the Associated Press reported that her parents had not been found. | |
Hopes are fading of finding anyone else alive. | |
"The building collapsed like a pack of cards within three to four seconds," Reuters quoted a local resident named Ramlal as saying. "It just tilted a bit and collapsed." | |
One police official told the BBC that the collapse appeared to have been caused by the use of substandard building material. | One police official told the BBC that the collapse appeared to have been caused by the use of substandard building material. |
Witnesses said the construction of the building started just six weeks ago, since when seven floors had been built. The eighth floor was under construction. | Witnesses said the construction of the building started just six weeks ago, since when seven floors had been built. The eighth floor was under construction. |
One local resident told the Associated Press the building was only supposed to have four storeys. | |
"People from the municipality used to visit the building but the builder still continued to add floors,'' said the man, who did not give his name. | |
Building collapses are common in India, with poor construction practices often blamed. | Building collapses are common in India, with poor construction practices often blamed. |