Large billboard collapses, killing at least 14 people in Mumbai

A large billboard collapsed on Monday, May 13, during heavy rain and thunderstorms in Mumbai, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and 74 injuries. The nearly 100-foot-tall billboard fell on a gas station where police say it was illegally installed.

The rain, accompanied by high winds, caused the 100-foot-tall billboard to fall over a gas station in the suburb of Ghatkopar. At least 47 people were rescued late into the night.

“I was there when a big hoarding of some builder fell down,” an eyewitness, Swapnil Khupte, told news agency ANI. “All the cars, bikes and people that were there got stuck. We helped people get out and somehow manage to escape.”

A rescue operation was ongoing the morning of Tuesday, May 14, and it was unclear how many people may still be trapped.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a post on social media said government ordered an investigation into the incident.

Chief minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, told officials to investigate the accident and file a homicide case against those responsible. He said the government would pay for the medical treatment for those injured. Adding that families of the deceased will receive about $6,000.

India experiences severe floods during the monsoon season, typically from June to September, which is crucial for agriculture but often causes extensive damage.

In India, there have been other fatal incidents involving billboards. Last June, a billboard outside a stadium in Lucknow collapsed on an SUV, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old and her mother. Additionally, three workers were crushed to death while working on a hoarding in Coimbatore during the same month.