Ten dead as residential building collapses near Mumbai

A residential building that was due for repairs has collapsed near Mumbai, killing at least 10 people and trapping many others.

Between 20 to 25 people are feared trapped under the rubble of the four-storey building in Maharashtra state, India’s National Disaster Response Force said.

Rescuers are working to find and free them.

At least 11 people were injured when the building collapsed, said Pankaj Ashiya, the commissioner of Bhiwandi in Thane district, a suburb of India’s financial capital Mumbai.

At least 11 people were injured when the building collapsed (Reuters)

He said the building was more than 30 years old and needed repairs, which could not be carried out due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter.

The building needed repairs (REUTERS)

“Praying for a quick recovery of those injured. Rescue operations are under way and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected,” he wrote.

Maharashtra is one of India’s hardest hit states by the virus, with more than a million reported cases.

Maharashtra has recorded over one million Covid-19 cases (AP)

India has reported more than five million coronavirus cases.

The National Disaster Response Force said the building had collapsed at around 4am local time.

Building collapses are common in India during the June-September monsoon season (AP)

Building collapses are common in India during the June-September monsoon season, when heavy rains weaken the foundations of structures that are poorly constructed or old.