In the district of Ghatkopar, Mumbai, the unexpected collapse of a 120-foot-high billboard has so far resulted in 14 tragic fatalities while over 70 individuals have been reported injured. The harrowing event, involving a billboard that spanned more than 15,000 square feet, was witnessed firsthand by an on-site eyewitness who shared details of the chilling disaster.
It was a Monday afternoon when fate took a perilous turn for Amit Guptachandani, who was at a BPCL petrol station in Ghatkopar having his car refueled; little did he know that in just a few moments, his life would change dramatically as he would become a savior to strangers.
Guptachandani was among many present at the site where, following a dust storm and unexpected rainfall, a 100-foot-long illegal billboard crashed down upon the petrol station. The accident has since claimed several lives, and 74 others are reportedly still suffering injuries.
In conversation with a news agency, the Thane district businessman Guptachandani recounted, 'I was at the petrol station getting fuel for my car when suddenly, strong winds started, and without warning, the billboard collapsed onto the station. Some were tragically trapped beneath, while others around began to flee. Fortunately, my friend and I narrowly escaped.'
He went on to say, 'Many were trapped under the billboard, so my friend and I kept pulling people out and helping the injured into available vehicles.' Meanwhile, regarding the incident, the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani earlier stated that the billboard was illegal as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had not granted permission for its erection.
The NDRF team arrived at the scene and used machinery, including cranes, to remove the billboard. The search operation at the site is still ongoing. A traffic constable, on condition of anonymity, said, 'About 30 autorickshaws were lined up at the petrol station to fill CNG, and buses and expensive cars were also trapped under the billboard.'
BMC had not granted permission
Note that in this case, BMC had issued a notice to the agency responsible for erecting the billboard. In its statement, BMC said that it permits billboards of a maximum size of 40x40 square feet. However, the illegal billboard that collapsed was 120x120 square feet in size—nearly three times larger than permitted at 15,000 square feet.
