Thane businessman turns rescuer at Ghatkopar hoarding collapse site

The rescue operations being conducted at the collapse site. Pic/Sameer Markande

When Amit Gupchandani made a pitstop to refuel his car at the BPCL petrol pump in Ghatkopar on Monday afternoon, he had no idea that within minutes, his life would change and he would turn saviour to strangers, reported news agency PTI.

Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Amit Gupchandani was among the many unsuspecting people at the scene

Gupachandani was among the many unsuspecting people at the scene where a 100-foot-tall illegal billboard fell on the petrol pump in Ghatkopar during dust storms and unseasonal rains that lashed the city, reported PTI.

Talking to PTI, Thane-based businessman Gupchandani, who is in his early 40s, said, "At the time of the incident, I was at the petrol pump to refuel my car, and out of nowhere, strong winds started gusting, and the hoarding fell on the petrol pump. People started running, and my friend and I luckily escaped unhurt."

Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Several people were trapped

Several people were trapped under the hoarding, and Gupchandani and his friend kept pulling them out and putting some victims in any available vehicle.

Speaking to media persons, Mumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner Bhushan Gagrani had earlier said the hoarding was illegal as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had not given permission (for erecting it), reported PTI.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team reached the scene, and machinery, including cranes, was being used to lift the hoarding, and traffic police and local police were also at the scene.

A traffic constable on the condition of anonymity said, "Around 30 autorickshaws had queued up at the petrol pump to fill CNG and buses and high-end cars were still trapped under the hoarding," reported PTI.

The Pant Nagar police are in the process of registering an FIR against the owner of the hoarding company, an official said, reported PTI.

Ghatkopar hoarding collapse: Death toll rises to 14

The death toll in the hoarding collapse incident in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area has risen to 14 while 74 people are injured, civic officials said on Tuesday morning.

The 100-foot-tall illegal billboard fell at a petrol pump in Ghatkopar during dust storms and unseasonal rains that lashed Mumbai on Monday.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials, search and rescue operations were going on at the Chheda Nagar-based petrol pump on Tuesday morning.

Of the injured, 31 people have been discharged from Rajawadi Hospital, a BMC official said.

The search and rescue operation is underway, the official said. NDRF has deployed two teams for the operation being carried out with Mumbai Fire Brigade and other agencies.

(With inputs from PTI)