Mumbai: powerful dust storm topples massive billboard; 8 die
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New Delhi: In Mumbai, a strong dust storm toppled a massive billboard over a fuel station, killing eight people and injuring 59, on Monday evening. Twenty people are feared to be trapped under the debris, according to the latest report on the incident by NDTV.
The collapsed billboard was opposite the fuel station, and visuals show it crashing down right over the station. The city administration is examining whether the billboard advertisement agency had permission to erect the same.
The metal frame of the billboard tore through the roofs of several cars inside the fuel station.
An eyewitness told ANI, the news agency, that the billboard belonged to some builder and many vehicles, including cars and bikes, got trapped under it when it collapsed. Many were pulled out from the wreckage by those who were around, while many managed to save themselves.
Police and teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the site, initiating the rescue drive.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that rescuing people is a priority and his government will take care of the treatment of those injured. He announced Rs 5 lakh for those lost lives. He added that he has asked concerned authorities to check all similar hoardings in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed that an investigation has been initiated into the incident.
On Monday, Mumbai was caught off guard by a massive dust storm. It halted transport, uprooted trees and structures, and caused power outages in many districts in the city. The storm turned the sky dark, and people shared pictures of it on social media.
The situation led to the cancellation of local trains, a section of the metro network as well as airport services, NDTV reported.
