MUMBAI: At least seven people were killed and four others injured after heavy monsoon rains triggered a landslide in a densely populated neighbourhood of Mumbai, authorities said.
The landslide struck before dawn on Wednesday in the Ghatkopar suburb when part of a hillside collapsed onto two or three homes in a tightly packed residential area.
Civic official Tanaji Kambli said emergency services immediately launched a rescue operation involving firefighters, police, the National Disaster Response Force and municipal personnel.
Rescue efforts were complicated by narrow lanes leading to the affected area, preventing crews from deploying heavy machinery.
Teams pulled at least 10 people from the debris and transported them to a government hospital. Six people, including two children and two teenagers, were declared dead on arrival.
ALSO READ: India’s ‘Cockroach’ Movement Hints at Fresh Protest to Challenge PM Modi’s Govt
Another body was recovered later on Wednesday, taking the death toll to seven. Local residents said one person was still believed to be missing as rescue workers continued clearing debris and searching the area.
Four injured people were admitted to hospital and were receiving medical treatment, officials said.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited the affected neighbourhood following the disaster and announced financial compensation for the families of those killed.
The landslide came as intense monsoon rainfall continued to affect parts of India, increasing the threat of flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Mumbai, India’s financial capital and one of the world’s most densely populated major cities, regularly experiences disruption during periods of intense monsoon rainfall. Densely built settlements near hillsides can face heightened risks when prolonged rain saturates the ground.
Emergency personnel remained at the site as authorities continued rescue and debris-clearing operations.
