Hillside collapses on Kurla home, late-night gathering turns tragic

Rescue operation underway after a landslide struck a chawl in Kurla. Pic/PTI

It was supposed to be a late-night gathering at Viket Yadav's home in Kurla West. Inam Ansari, a local, was among those inside when the hill behind the house gave way, sending rocks and debris crashing down.

Ansari survived; several others did not make it

"It was a night out at Viket's house, and we were all at his place hanging out. The next thing we know, all those who were inside were stuck under the rocks. I don't know how I am alive," Ansari told mid-day.

‘We dug out about five people'

Ansari said residents managed to pull several people out before the emergency teams took over.

"We dug out about five people who were still alive. Since it was very dark and rocks were still falling from the hillside, I don't know who was dug out by us and who was not."

Once firefighters reached the spot, civilians were moved away from the affected area.

A police officer at the site said a 50-metre safety zone had been created because the hillside remained unstable.

"We are not letting any of the civilians within 50 meters of the spot of the landslide. This is because the hill is still sensitive, and some rocks can still tumble. We have cleared out all the houses of their inhabitants so that they don't get hurt by the rocks that might fall and they don't interfere in the work of the firefighters who are working at the spot."

‘Hill came down'

Ansari said the group had eaten together and was still talking when they heard a loud noise.

"We were talking when the sudden loud noise came. The next thing I know, the hillside behind Viket's house came down, and all of the others got trapped while I didn't."

Ansari and other residents began searching through the rubble. "Someone must have called the firefighters. I didn't even know that the call was made. I was just busy looking for the people who I was spending time with just a while ago."

‘Sadam called me from under rubble'

Ansari alleged that one of his friends, Sadam, managed to call him after becoming trapped under the debris.

"After the first responders came to the scene and took over, I got a call from Sadam, who was stuck beneath the debris at the spot. He told me that he was stuck with the others and pleaded to get him out soon. We told the first responders on the scene about it, but I don't know if they acted soon enough on the information."

Ansari said Sadam was eventually pulled out later in the evening. "Sadam was taken out in the late evening, and not when there was still natural light like the others."

Police Speak

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ganesh Shinde, East Zone
‘Till now we have recovered seven bodies, and are searching for one more person. Seven people who have been injured have been sent to civic hospitals where they are undergoing necessary medical treatment.'

[popcorn number="07" desc="No of people injured in the landslide" class="Default"]

Inputs by Aishwarya Iyer