The dilapidated building was under renovation when the top floor caved in; 11 residents in critical condition

Renovation work at Sheesh Mahal building in Ulhasnagar spelled doom for nine residents who lost their lives as the fifth floor of the building caved in, taking the lower floors down with it. Though the construction was meant to strengthen the dilapidated building, it had a counter effect on its structure. Yesterday, around 7 pm, the building came crashing down, killing 9 and leaving 11 critically injured. According to eyewitnesses, the renovation work on the terrace was going on till 6 pm and an hour later, one of the rooms of the fifth floor caved in, triggering the collapse of fourth, third and second floors.


Colossal damage: Cops control the mayhem after the collapse.

Among those who lost their lives are siblings Mehek Kukreja (4) and Honey Kukreja 8), Sonal (45), Ravina Bajaj (36), Dinesh Khatri (10) and Aakash Hajare (4). Bhavna Hajare, Akash's mother is in critical condition and is unaware of her son's death. The other 10 injured were rushed to the nearby Central Hospital. Vishal Chhabria, relative of an injured, said, "My aunt and uncle are struggling for life and have been admitted to the ICU. They have lost their daughters Mehek and Honey, but they haven't been informed about the tragedy yet." Rocky Chhabria, a neighbour, said, "Though the building is just about 15 years old, it had developed many cracks. It was in a dilapidated condition for the past few years because it had been poorly constructed." Meanwhile, authorities have sealed the building and asked the residents to move to a nearby shelter temporarily.