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15 feared trapped in collapsed Mumbai building
At least 2 killed
September 16, 1997
Web posted at: 6:16 p.m. EDT (2216 GMT)MUMBAI, India (CNN) -- Rescuers were scrambling to pull survivors from an multi-story residential building that partially collapsed Tuesday in an upscale area of Mumbai, the western port city of India formerly known as Bombay.
At least two people were killed in the collapse.
Two bodies were found and 15 others were feared trapped beneath the debris, fire department officials said.
The building is part of a business and residential complex known as Poonam Chambers.
"I was sitting in the office when I heard thundering noises; the building was shaking. I came running out, and saw a huge cloud of dust. There was chaos," one witness said.
The building had collapsed in the middle of the afternoon in the Worli business precinct of India's commercial capital.
Building collapses linked to shoddy construction occur frequently in Mumbai, particularly during the rainy season. Rent laws give landlords little incentive to repair old and dilapidated structures.
Mumbai is emerging from a real estate boom during which developers rushed to put up buildings, at times with little regard for safety or durability.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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