"The death toll has shot up to 72 as more bodies were pulled out from under the rubble between last night and this (Saturday) morning. Over 35 people are still in hospital in a critical condition," a Thane disaster management official told IANS.

A seven-floor building in Lucky Compound, in Shilphata area on the outskirts of Thane city collapsed around 6.30 p.m. Thursday. The unauthorised building had been constructed in just three months, without the relevant permissions and certificates.