As rescue operations continued at the site of the Bhiwandi building collapse, Thane Collector Shrikrishna Panchal on Friday said the structure was undergoing unauthorised repair work without the municipal corporation’s permission and that those responsible would face legal action.At least nine people were killed and three others injured after the ground-plus-four building in the Kohinoor compound collapsed in the early hours of Friday. Officials said three people are still feared trapped under the debris, and rescue operations are underway.Addressing ANI reporters at the site, Panchal said the structure had been classified as a C1 building, meaning it was beyond repair and unsafe for habitation.”There was a C1 building in the Kohinoor compound. Yesterday, it was under repair without the permission of the Municipal Corporation. C1 is classified as a building which is beyond repair,” Panchal said. He said civic officials had learned about the unauthorised repair work on Thursday and immediately reached the site, evacuating around 30 families from the building.”The ward officer and staff reached the site and rescued 30 families from the building. However, some people were there in the basement when the building collapsed,” he said.‘Contractor, owner face investigation’“We are currently investigating the contractor and the owner involved here. The work was started without permission. Accordingly, accountability will be fixed and legal action will be taken,” he added.
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The building had earlier been declared dangerous by the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC).Among those killed, four have been identified as Shamim Shaikh (32), Miraj Rasul Shaikh (34), Ranjeet Singh (45) and Shamim Ansari (30). The identities of the remaining victims are yet to be established.The injured have been identified as Abhay Yadav (26), Deepak Yadav (25) and Sangeeta Prajapati (36). They are undergoing treatment at IGM Hospital.
