Mumbai, May 14: The death toll in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident in Mumbai has risen to 14 today, May 14. The National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) said that 74 people have been rescued alive from the spot, while 14 have been declared dead. With this, the count of total victims now stands at 88. While the probe is underway, a man named Bhavesh Bhide has been identified as the owner of the hoarding company.

According to a report in the Times of India, Bhide is also the owner of the advertising agency responsible for the illegal hoarding that collapsed in Ghatkopar on Monday, May 13. The alleged incident occurred on Monday at around 5 p.m. when the illegal hoarding fell on a petrol pump in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area. Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse: Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar Assures Strict Action Against Those Responsible for Hoarding Collapse Incident.

Vivek Phansalkar Assures Strict Action

The hoarding fell in Ghatkopar during a dust storm and heavy rainfall in Mumbai. On Monday, May 13, the maximum city witnessed a dust storm with winds reaching 60 kmph. According to the report, Bhavesh Bhide owns the illegal hoarding that collapsed in Ghatkopar. He is said to be the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, the advertising agency responsible for erecting the collapsed hoarding.

Hoarding Collapses in Ghatkopar After Dust Storm

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident "painful and sad." Speaking to the media in Varanasi, Shinde said that the government would bear all the expenses of the people injured in the incident. Rs 5 lakh as compensation will be given to the victims' next of kin. Strict action will be taken against the owner of the hoarding," he added. Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse: Death Toll Now Goes up to 14, 74 People Rescued Alive After Illegal Billboard Falls in Mumbai Due to Heavy Rains and Strong Winds (Watch Videos).

Shinde also said that a case of culpable homicide has been registered. Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar also consoled the deaths of the people who lost their lives in the hoarding collapse incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2024 03:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).