Five days after billboard collapse, BMC recalls first responder vehicles on standby

After the incident took place on Monday evening, rescue operation went on for more than 60 hours until it was called off on Thursday morning, 12 hours after the last two bodies were extricated from underneath the debris.

Ghatkopar billboard collapse, billboard collapse, Mumbai

Vehicles damaged in the mishap. (PTI File)

Five days after the towering billboard in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar collapsed, claiming 16 lives and injuring 75 more, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday gave out a ‘make up’ call which means, all the vehicles of first responders including vans of Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) that were deployed at the spot as a standby measure could now be withdrawn from their spot.

The make up call was issued on Saturday evening around 7.15 pm. The BMC on Friday has also asked the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), to secure the area considering spills of diesel and petroleum at the spot.

Also Read | Mumbai billboard collapse: BMC doesn’t have a dept to carry out structural checks, depends on private agencies

“Make up call indicates that the recovery operation is officially over. As per the municipal commissioner’s instructions few MFB engines were kept on standby and now that the spot is entirely cleared of debris the vehicles have been asked to be withdrawn from the spot,” said a senior MFB official.

“The petroleum authorities have been asked to secure the plot in order to prevent the oil spills which may cause fire if left unattended,” said a civic official.

After the incident took place on Monday evening, rescue operation went on for more than 60 hours until it was called off on Thursday morning, 12 hours after the last two bodies were extricated from underneath the debris.

In the incident, 72 vehicles were damaged including 31 four wheelers, 30 two wheelers, eight auto rickshaws and two trucks.

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