A billboard collapsed on Monday, May 13, 2024, resulting in the loss of 14 lives and causing injuries to 75 others in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, India.
According to reports, rescue teams in Mumbai utilised excavators to clear the debris as they tried to locate survivors who were trapped beneath the billboard, described as larger than an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Authorities have disclosed that the billboard had crushed a fuel station, homes, and vehicles during a thunderstorm, leading to the entrapment of over 100 individuals.
Confirming the number of people killed and injured, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said, “The operation was very challenging due to the weight of the structure and the presence of flammable liquid and gas at the site,” Mohsen Shahedi, a senior National Disaster Response Force officer, told the agency.
“We believe there is no one else stuck under the debris,” he said.
The instant the billboard yielded to a dust storm and rainfall was captured on camera. This catastrophic occurrence brought traffic to a standstill and led to flight disruptions at Mumbai airport.
The BMC further stated that the entity accountable for the billboard, spanning approximately 1,338 square meters (14,400 square feet) – a staggering nine times larger than the maximum allowable size – did not possess the requisite permit.