Six killed as four-storey building collapses in Bhiwandi; several feared trapped | VIDEO

Bhiwandi: Six people were killed and at least seven to eight others are feared trapped after a four-storey residential building collapsed in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi late on Thursday night, officials said.

A portion of the Kohinoor Building in the Balaji Nagar area of the powerloom town collapsed at around 11.30 pm, triggering a massive rescue operation involving multiple agencies.

Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation Fire Officer Vijay Jadhav said one body had been recovered from the debris, while an injured boy was rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Rescue teams believe seven to eight people remain trapped beneath the rubble, with search operations continuing through Friday.

According to municipal officials, the building comprised 48 rooms, with 12 on each floor. The structure had previously been declared unsafe by the civic body, and repair work was underway when the collapse occurred.

Officials said residents heard loud cracking sounds from the building at around 9 pm on Thursday. Alarmed by the noise, locals helped evacuate several families from the premises. However, while some occupants were still leaving the building, the 'B' wing suddenly gave way.

A large-scale rescue effort is being carried out by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response Force and the local fire brigade.

Authorities have also deployed a dog squad, four fire engines, two ambulances and heavy earth-moving equipment to assist in the operation.