Death toll from Mumbai billboard collapse rises to 14

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – The death toll from the collapse of a massive billboard in India's financial capital Mumbai has risen to 14, officials said Tuesday.

The billboard, located next to a busy road in the Chheda Nagar area of the eastern suburb of Ghatkopar, collapsed Monday evening due to a rainstorm accompanied by strong winds, according to initial updates released by Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The corporation said the death toll as of Tuesday morning stood at 14, while 43 people who were injured had been admitted to local hospitals.

Thirty-one others were discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment, the officials said, adding that rescue operations are still underway.

After the incident, the corporation said that more than 100 people were likely trapped. Later it said that 60 were rescued and taken to the hospital.

On Monday night, Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state, said a high-level probe had been ordered into the incident and strict action would be taken against those responsible.