3 dead, several injured after building in Navi Mumbai collapses

MUMBAI: At least three people died and several others were injured when a four-storey building collapsed in Navi Mumbai's Belapur area early on Saturday. Two individuals have been rescued and efforts are ongoing to find another person feared trapped, according to an NDRF official.
After hearing a cracking sound on the second floor, the residents fled to a nearby safe place.The injured two are in stable condition.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Meraj (30) and Shafiq Ansari (29). A third body is being transported to NMMC Hospital in Vashi. Updates will be provided once civic doctors confirm the third person has been declared dead.
The NDRF rescue team found him unconscious under the rubble and rushed him to NMMC hospital's First Referral Unit in Vashi, where the chief medical officer declared him dead on arrival.
Prior to this, two residents of the building, identified as Ruksar Pathan (19) and Lallauddin Nazir Pathan (23), were rescued from the debris.
Pathan sustained a pelvic bone fracture, while Lallauddin Pathan suffered abrasions. Both are being treated at the civic hospital's trauma unit, according to Dr. Prashant Jawade, NMMC hospital's medical superintendent.
They were staying on the third floor and were screaming for help while being trapped in the debris.
The National Disaster Response Force 5th Battalion-Pune and fire brigade teams are conducting the rescue operation.
The Navi Mumbai municipal corporation chief, Dr. Kailas Shinde, said, “The building was constructed in 2013. Most of the residents had fled half an hour before the building collapsed.
We are facing the problem of identifying them as all of them are tenants and unknown to each other. The residents are accommodated in our Niwara Centre (Shelter home). Search is on for the two persons by removing the debris.
(Inputs by George Mendonca)