Pune building collapse: 29-year-old man trapped under debris found dead

The building crashed in the wee hours of Friday when all five floors came down. Mohite, the only one to get trapped was re-visiting the parking of the building to fetch his four wheeler when the structure collapsed. The building was located in Bhumkar Mala locality in Ambegaon Narhe village at Pune outskirts.

Locals said that the building – was constructed about a year back but the builder had left it incomplete. The building had 20 flats on five floors out of which 9 flats were occupied. One room was occupied by the watchman who was staying with his family.

The rescue work going on at the building collapse site. The NDRF and Fire Brigade officials are yet to locate Sandip Mohite (29) who’s trapped under the debris. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon).

“The residents have been noticing cracks in the building for quite some time now. On Thursday night the residents suddenly woke up to tremors and see cracks in the walls. Those who noticed woke up others and helped all 25 persons to vacate the building. Sandip, had returned to the parking lot of the building to drive out the cars. He successfully took out one but when he went the second time the building crashed,” an eyewitness said.

The builder has been detained by Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station and is being questioned. Those who recieved minor injuries have been hositalised in Navale Hospital.

The village Amegaon Narhe and adjoining area are notorious for illegal construction activities. The district administration had undertaken multiple drives against the illegal construction in the recent past in the area.