On a fateful evening of May 13th, 2024, Mumbai witnessed a horrific tragedy unfold. A massive 100-foot-tall billboard, erected without proper permissions, came crashing down amid heavy rains and gusty winds in the Ghatkopar area. The illegal hoarding collapsed onto a petrol pump, claiming the lives of 14 individuals and leaving over 70 others injured.

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1. Bollywood Voices Shock and Concern
2. Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
3. Lack of Proper Permissions and Accountability
4. Disruptions and Compensation Announced
5. Call for Stricter Enforcement and Accountability

Bollywood Voices Shock and Concern

The tragic incident garnered attention from Bollywood, with actors Vijay Varma and Soni Razdan expressing their shock and concern on social media platforms. Varma shared a video of the accident, captioning it with a simple yet poignant “Oh No,” while Razdan commented, “Terrible,” on a post shared by a journalist.

Search and Rescue Efforts Underway

Immediate search and rescue operations were launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in collaboration with the Mumbai Fire Brigade and other agencies. Dramatic videos captured the heart-wrenching moment when the massive hoarding came crashing down, damaging vehicles at the petrol pump.

Lack of Proper Permissions and Accountability

Investigations revealed that the collapsed billboard was erected by an advertising agency called Ego Media on a plot leased to the Police Welfare Corporation. However, Ego Media did not possess the necessary permissions or clearance from the Municipal Corporation, raising questions about accountability and safety regulations.

Disruptions and Compensation Announced

The adverse weather conditions also disrupted flight operations at Mumbai airport, local train services, and caused power outages in parts of Mumbai and surrounding areas like Thane. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ordered a structural audit of all hoardings in Mumbai, promising strict action against those found violating safety norms.

Call for Stricter Enforcement and Accountability

As the city mourns the loss of lives, this tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and accountability measures. Authorities must ensure that such preventable tragedies do not occur in the future, prioritizing the safety of citizens over commercial interests.

 

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