One person was killed and three others injured after a section of an under-construction metro pillar collapsed in Mumbai’s Mulund on Saturday afternoon, crushing a moving autorickshaw beneath the debris. Part of a car was also crushed under the concrete segment.
The incident occurred around 12.20 pm on the arterial LBS Road in front of Johnson and Johnson factory, when a section of the cement structure gave way during construction and fell directly onto the moving autorickshaw. The deceased and the injured were reportedly passengers in the autorickshaw.
"A cement slab of the pillar collapsed and fell on an autorickshaw below, completely smashing the three-wheeler. Three to four persons are feared injured. Fire brigade and police personnel as well as staffers of the firm constructing the metro rail route (Line 4) are at the spot to monitor post-incident operations," officials said earlier.
Following an alert from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB), multiple agencies rushed to the spot. Personnel from the fire brigade, local police, Metro authorities, ward staff and the 108 ambulance service were deployed to carry out rescue and relief operations.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is overseeing the construction, said the condition of the injured is being monitored and medical assistance is being provided. However, the authority's statement, which came before the confirmation of the death, mentioned that the number of injured persons was two.
The identity of the victim is yet to be ascertained by the police. The injured were provided immediate medical assistance and shifted to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
