Dust storm disaster: Giant billboard collapse in Mumbai leaves 35 injured, over 100 trapped

A horrifying scene unfolded in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Monday evening as a massive billboard collapsed on a fuel station amidst a powerful dust storm, leaving over 100 individuals feared trapped beneath the rubble.

Positioned opposite the fuel station, the structure crashed down directly onto the refueling facility, its metal frame piercing through the roofs of numerous vehicles. The incident, occurring around 4:30 pm near Chheda Nagar Gymkhana, prompted an immediate response from the fire brigade and police, who launched a rescue operation to extricate those trapped.

Amidst the chaos, reports emerged of 35 individuals sustaining injuries, while 54 have been successfully rescued from the debris. However, the plight of over 100 others remains uncertain as rescue efforts continue.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis took to Twitter to announce a high-level inquiry into the incident, underlining the urgency of understanding its causes and ensuring accountability for those responsible. As the rescue operation persists, hopes remain high for the safe retrieval of those still trapped beneath the wreckage.