India building collapse death toll rises to 17
- Published
Rescue operations are under way following the building collapse in Mumbai
The death toll in the collapse of a building in the western Indian city of Mumbai has reached 17 as authorities have ordered an investigation.
Some 28 survivors have so far been pulled from the rubble of Tuesday's disaster, some with serious injuries.
The four-storey residential building was located in the suburb of Ghatkopar.
Reports suggest part of the building was used as a nursing home but it was being renovated at the time.
The owner of the nursing home has been arrested for allegedly making "structural changes to the building while he was getting the nursing home renovated," a senior official of the Mumbai municipality told the 大象传媒.
Sudhir Naik said the rescue operation would continue until Wednesday evening. It is not clear whether any more people are trapped in the debris.
Building accidents are not uncommon in India, particularly during the monsoon season. Poor construction standards are often to blame.
Rescuers spent all day combing the rubble for survivors
The ground floor of the building, which housed the nursing home, was vacant at the time of the collapse, city fire chief PS Rahangdale said.
Several families lived on each of the other floors, he told Reuters news agency.
There is an anxious wait for survivors and relatives who are desperate for news of their family members and friends.
Officials said 28 people had been rescued so far