India: 13 dead in building collapse incident

NEW DELHI

The death toll increased to more than a dozen after a five-story building collapsed in India’s western Maharashtra state, a senior official confirmed on Tuesday.

The collapse in the Raigad district killed at least 13 people and the rescue operation has been underway since late Monday when the incident occurred, district magistrate Nidhi Chaudhari told Anadolu Agency.

Several dozen were rescued, including a four-year-old, he also said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deadly incident.

“Saddened by the building collapse in Mahad, Raigad in Maharashtra. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their dear ones. I pray the injured recover soon. Local authorities and NDRF [National Disaster Response Force] teams are at the site of the tragedy, providing all possible assistance,” his office tweeted on Tuesday.

Several areas of Maharashtra are witnessing monsoon rains but it was not immediately clear if the collapse was caused by rains.