At least 14 people were killed and 74 injured when a large billboard collapsed on a group of pedestrians in India late Monday night, authorities said.
A 100-foot-tall billboard fell on a gas station on the outskirts of Ghatkopar in the western city of Mumbai on Monday night, city officials said. At least 47 people had been rescued by midnight.
The collapse occurred during a thunderstorm with heavy rain and strong winds.
Civic authorities blamed inclement weather for the deadly collapse, saying, “A tragic incident occurred yesterday (May 13) evening when a storage shed collapsed due to strong winds in Chheda Nagar area of Ghatkopar. happened,” he said.
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The 100-foot-tall billboard fell on a gas station on the outskirts of Ghatkopar in western Mumbai, city officials said. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Efforts to rescue those who may still be trapped continued into Tuesday morning.
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“Currently, 44 injured people are being treated and 31 have already been discharged after treatment. Unfortunately, 14 people died in this accident,” the official said.
A billboard appears to have collapsed due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in Mumbai, India. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Rescuers search for victims under a billboard that collapsed after heavy rain and thunderstorms in Mumbai, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Police are investigating the collapse and believe the billboard may have been erected illegally, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.
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India experiences frequent heavy rains and severe flooding, especially during the monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September.
A large number of people remain believed to be trapped after a billboard collapsed on the outskirts of Ghatkopar, Mumbai Police said on social media platform X. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
This season brings most of India’s annual rainfall. Rain is critical to agriculture, but it often causes significant damage.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
