Featured Image Credit: NDTV
Topics: World News, India
Mia Williams
Shocking footage shows the terrifying moment a gigantic billboard collapsed in India, killing 14 people.
A 220-foot-by-160-foot billboard in Mumbai collapsed over a petrol station during a heavy rain storm earlier this week.
As well as a petrol station, the billboard also landed on a number of houses in the Ghatkopar area.
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Footage captured by surveillance cameras saw the metal structure tearing through cars and trapping people underneath it during the heavy wind and rain.
At least 14 people have been found dead by rescue teams, and 74 people have been injured so far.
After the disaster on Monday evening (13 May), rescue teams started to dig through the wreckage on Tuesday (15 May) to find survivors.
Involved in the rescue mission were fire services, police, disaster response officials, and other officials.
National Disaster Relief Force assistant commandant, Nikhil Mudholkar, told ANI news agency: “A total of 88 people were rescued, of whom 14 were declared dead by doctors and 31 were discharged.
“The problem is that we are unable to use our gasoline-based cutting equipment because there is a petrol pump here.”
Maharashtra state chief minister, Eknath Shinde, visited the disaster and said that illegal and dangerous billboards across the city would be removed.
Talking to reporters, he said: “It is a very unfortunate incident. The government will probe it, and the people responsible will face action.
“I have also asked the BMC commissioner to conduct a structural audit of all the hoardings in the city.”
The chief minister announced that he would give Rs500,000 ($5,990) to the family of each person who was killed.
Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister, said that a ‘high-level’ inquiry has been ordered to be conducted.
Mumbai police have now registered a case against the owners of Ego Media, the company that were responsible for the billboard.
During and following the incident, there were temporary flight disruptions at Mumbai airport, with 15 flights being diverted from the pathway.
Mumbai, along with several other huge Indian cities, is used to severe floodings and rain-related tragedies during the monsoon season, which usually lasts between June and September every year.
When the video was posted to X, one person said: “That’s why it is very important to always include wind loads in designing any structure that is above a one-storey.”
And another said: “This is devastating. It’s a harsh reminder that safety regulations for billboards need to be stricter to prevent such tragedies.”