Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: 14 People Killed, Over 70 Injured; FIR Registered

A massive tragedy was reported in Mumbai after an illegally constructed giant hoarding collapsed after Monday’s dust storm. The tragic incident resulted in the death of 14 people. 

The National Disaster Response Force (NRDF) reported 88 victims, with 74 rescued and injured. At the time of the collapse, 150 vehicles were present at the petrol pump.          

As per the report of Times of India, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has discovered that Ego media Pvt Ltd, the advertising agency is responsible for the Ghatkopar hoarding. They have similarly erected eight additional hoardings without the approval of the civic body. 

A case has been registered against Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of the M/s Ego Media Private Limited, and others for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. 

In response to the incident, the BMC has issued a notice to Ego Media Pvt Ltd, demanding the removal of eight other hoardings in the region within 10 days. The civic body has also ordered the cancellation of the licenses for any hoardings in the 24 civic wards. 

As per the report of TOI, former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has filed a complaint about the illegal hoarding following which a notice was sent to GRP to remove them. 

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the incident spot late Monday evening and ordered a structural audit of all hoardings in the city. “The hoardings, if found illegal and dangerous, would be removed immediately,” he said. “It is a very unfortunate incident. The government will probe it, and the people responsible will face action. I have also asked the BMC commissioner to conduct a structural audit of all the hoardings in the city. Those found illegal and dangerous will be removed,” Shinde told reporters.

He has also announced an aid amount of Rs 5 lakh to each person killed in the collapse.