Deadly building collapse in India

2013-04-05 20

THIS EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC MATERIAL

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Rescue workers search through the rubble of this collapsed building near Mumbai in western India - looking for survivors.

The building was under construction when it collapsed - and although the death toll is not yet clear scores of people have already been confirmed dead.

Many more are believed to be trapped beneath its five-stories.

(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) P. S. RANDALE, DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER, SAYING:

"There is a possibility that victims can be rescued within 48 hours, I myself have rescued people even after three days from debris. So the rescue operation is basically a slow process, which is conducted very carefully so that the maximum number of victims can be saved and rescued."

Police say the building was being constructed illegally and parts of it were already occupied.

Building collapses are common in India and poor construction materials and