A significant incident unfolded in India late Monday evening when a large billboard collapsed on a group of pedestrians, leading to the tragic demise of at least 14 individuals and injuring 74 others, as confirmed by officials.
The mishap took place in the Ghatkopar suburb of Mumbai, where a 100-foot-tall billboard fell onto a gas station during a thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds. City authorities attributed the collapse to the adverse weather conditions.
Rescue operatios continued throughout the night, with 47 people rescued so far. Efforts to locate and rescue any remaining trapped individuals extended into Tuesday morning. Medical attention is being provided to the 44 injured, with 31 already discharged after receiving treatment.
Expressing grief over the incident, officials stated, "Yesterday evening, in the Chheda Nagar area of Ghatkopar, a tragic incident occurred due to speedy winds, resulting in the collapse of a hoarding. Sadly, 14 people lost their lives in this unfortunate event."
Police are currently investigating the collapse and suspect that the billboard may have been illegally installed, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.
India frequently experiences heavy rainfall and severe floods, particularly during the monsoon season from June to September, which accounts for most of the country's annual rainfall. While crucial for agriculture, these rains often result in extensive damage.