Giant Billboard Collapses And Kills 14 People During Dust Storm In Mumbai
The billboard, measuring 70m by 50m, fell onto houses and a petrol station, trapping hundreds of people.
By Sadho Ram — 14 May 2024, 05:32 PM
At least 14 people were killed when a giant billboard collapsed on a petrol station in Mumbai, India, during a dust storm on Monday, 13 May
According to Mumbai police, the billboard collapsed at about 4.30pm India time.
"A sudden storm and heavy rain led to a devastating incident. A metal girder from a billboard, sized 70m by 50m, collapsed at the railway petrol pump in Samta Colony, Ghatkopar East, injuring 37 people.
"Approximately 50 to 60 individuals are believed to still be trapped," said the Mumbai police.
The metal frame of the billboard pierced through the roofs of several cars at the petrol station.
All the cars, bikes, and people at the scene were trapped under the collapsed structure, an eyewitness said.
An aerial view shows the fallen billboard following a dust storm in Mumbai.
Image via Prashant Waydande/ReutersThe terrifying scene was captured on video, showing the huge billboard swaying in the strong wind before collapsing
The agency that owns the billboard did not have a permit from the city's civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to put up the hoarding, the civic body said in a statement, as reported by Reuters.
The structure was nine times larger than the maximum permitted size for a hoarding, it said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that he has ordered an investigation into the accident and instructed to file a homicide case against those responsible.
