At least 10 dead in residential building collapse in India

A residential building that was due for repairs collapsed in central India early Monday_ killing at least 10 people and trapping many others_ officials said. Around 20-25 people are feared to be trapped under the rubble of the four-story building in Maharashtra state that collapsed at around 4 a.m._ said India s National Disaster Response Force. Satya Narayan Pradhan_ director general of the National Disaster Response Force_ shared photos and videos of the ongoing rescue operation on Twitter and said that so far eight survivors_ including a 7-year-old boy_ had been rescued. He said there likely were more survivors. At least 11 people were injured when the building collapsed_ said Pankaj Ashiya_ the commissioner of the town of Bhiwandi in Thane district_ a suburb of Mumbai_ India s financial capital. He said that the building was over 30 years old and needed repairs_ which couldn t be carried out due to the coronavirus lockdown. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter.  Praying for a quick recovery of those injured. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected_ he wrote. The building_ which contained several apartments and was home to at least 25 families_ is located in a densely populated part of Bhiwandi_ a textile hub known for its many power loom factories_ officials said. The Maharashtra state government announced compensation of 500_000 rupees ($6_800) for those affected by the disaster. Building collapses are common in India during the June-September monsoon season_ when heavy rains weaken the foundations of structures that are poorly constructed or old.