Mumbai Hoarding Collapse: 14 Dead, Ad Agency Lacked Clearance

Photo : PTI

In a tragic incident in Mumbai, fourteen people lost their lives and over 70 were injured as a massive billboard collapsed during a fierce storm on Monday evening. The 100-foot billboard, located opposite a fuel station in the Ghatkopar area, succumbed to the force of the storm, crashing directly onto the fuel station below. CCTV footage captured the harrowing moment as the metal structure tore through car roofs before hitting the ground.

A search and rescue operation is underway, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) dispatching two teams to assist alongside the Mumbai Fire Brigade and other agencies. The hoarding in question was erected by Ego Media on a plot leased to the Police Welfare Corporation by the Maharashtra government's Police Housing Division. While the company had permission for all four hoardings on the premises, including the collapsed one, no authorization or No Objection Certificate (NOC) was obtained from the BMC before installation.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel

Consequently, the BMC issued a notice to the Railway Police's ACP and the Railway Commissioner, urging the cancellation of all permissions granted by the Railways and the removal of the hoardings. Mumbai was engulfed by a sudden and powerful dust storm, leading to chaos across the city. Transportation services, including local trains and airport operations, were severely affected, with flights suspended temporarily due to low visibility and strong winds.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued urgent warnings of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and heavy rain. While the rain provided relief from the heat, power outages and structural damage were reported in various districts, adding to the challenges faced by residents. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the site of the collapse and announced a structural audit of all hoardings in the city.

He assured that any illegal or dangerous hoardings would be removed immediately and announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of each victim. The incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and regulatory compliance to prevent such tragedies in the future.

May 14, 2024 1:25 p.m. 4059

#trending #latest #MumbaiCollapse #BillboardTragedy #SafetyFirst #MumbaiStorm #EmergencyResponse #CityChaos #StructuralAudit #PublicSafety #MaharashtraCrisis #UrbanSafety #dnn #breakingnews #worldnews #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn