The tragic apartment collapse in Virar has claimed 17 lives so far. More than 30 hours have passed since this devastating incident, but rescue operations are still ongoing. Two teams from the 5th Battalion of the NDRF, along with teams from the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation and local police, are working day and night on relief and rescue efforts.
The incident occurred while the Joyle family in Vijay Nagar, Virar (East), was celebrating the first birthday of their innocent daughter, Utkarsha. The family decorated their home, cut the cake, captured joyful moments in photos, and sent the pictures to their relatives. However, just five minutes after cutting the cake, the rear portion of the Ramabai Apartment collapsed onto a nearby chawl, turning the atmosphere into one of mourning. In this tragedy, the innocent Utkarsha and her mother, Aarohi Joyle, lost their lives, while the father, Onkar Joyle, has not yet been found.
Local Residents Saved Lives
Immediately after the incident, before the NDRF team arrived, local citizens showed courage and safely rescued seven people from the debris. Some of them sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals in Virar and Nalasopara.
The web of illegal and unauthorized buildings in Vasai-Virar city continues to endanger lives. This is not the first such incident. Just 15 days ago, two laborers died when a glass slab fell at an illegal construction site. Despite this, serious questions are being raised about the negligence and sluggish response of the local administration.
FIR Registered Against Builder and Land Owner
Virar Police have registered a case against the builder, Nital Gopinath Sane, and the landowner responsible for this incident. The case has been filed under Sections 52, 53, and 54 of the Regional Town Planning Act and Section 105 of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). However, no arrests have been made in the case so far.
