Deaths as Indian building collapses

Some unconfirmed reports put the death toll at seven.

The building, known Shankar Lok, was given an eviction notice, citing dilapidated condition as early as 2007.

It crashed down into a huge pile of concrete slabs, rubble and dust, Disaster Response Force commander Alok Awasthi said.

Rescuers pulled out two bodies as well as rescuing three survivors with minor injuries, Mr Awasthi said.

Dozens of firefighters and emergency workers were digging into the wreckage in the hope of finding more survivors.

Two ambulances were standing by ready to ferry the injured to hospital.

While the building was officially uninhabited, some families were living there illegally.

Another dozen or so people had set up makeshift slum huts at the base of the building, in the Santacruz suburb of India’s west-coast financial capital.

“Our rough estimate is that there are around eight to 10 people feared trapped inside. Rescue operations are going on,” Mr Awasthi added.