The death toll from the Ramabai Apartment collapse in Virar East has climbed to 15, with nine others injured and two residents still missing, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The four-storey structure collapsed around midnight on Tuesday, trapping several residents under the debris. Rescue teams, including the NDRF, fire brigade, and local police, are continuing operations to locate those still missing.
“Fifteen people have died, nine are injured and undergoing treatment. Residents claim two are still missing, and efforts are on to trace them,” said Sanjay Hirwade, Additional Commissioner of Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation.
The Vasai Virar police have arrested builder Niley Sane (50) in connection with the tragedy. He has been booked under multiple provisions of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act and Section 105 of the BNS, including charges of attempt to murder and negligence.
In the early stages of the rescue, four people were pulled out, one of whom was declared dead at the scene. A one-year-old child later died en route to the hospital. The injured are being treated at hospitals in Virar and Nalasopara, with some in critical condition.
According to NDRF Deputy Commander Pramod Singh, two specialised teams from Mumbai and Palghar rushed to the site shortly after midnight. Authorities have also evacuated nearby buildings and are assessing their structural safety.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation.
