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India ends search for survivors in Mumbai rubble | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Rescuers in India have ended their search for survivors in the rubble of a Mumbai high-rise which collapsed killing 72 people, 26 of them children. | |
The seven-storey block in Thane, an unauthorised building which was already inhabited despite being still under construction, collapsed on Thursday. | |
Many people were also injured and the death toll may rise further. | |
Illegal construction work in the Mumbai region is driven by high demand for housing from the growing population. | |
A deputy municipal commissioner and senior police officer have been suspended for dereliction of duty and allegedly colluding with the builders, and an investigation has been ordered. | |
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. |
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. | 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. |
Building work had continued at the block even though four floors were already occupied. | |
More than 100 people are reported to have been pulled out alive, among them a 10-month-old girl. But AP news agency reported her parents had not been found. | |
"The building collapsed like a pack of cards within three to four seconds," Reuters news agency 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. | 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. | "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. |