On May 13, 2024, a large-scale hoarding fall in the Ghatkopar neighborhood of Mumbai resulted in a devastating death toll. The incident, which happened amid unexpectedly heavy gusts and rain, has provoked fury and prompted questions about the city’s billboard safety laws.
- In Ghatkopar, Mumbai, a 120 by 120 foot hoarding collapse resulted in 16 fatalities and over 70 injuries.
- Ego Media Pvt Ltd erected the hoarding, which was larger than permitted.
- Owner of the company Bhavesh Bhinde is in custody.
- The incident has led to an examination of Mumbai’s billboard safety laws.
14 killed, 74 injured in this giant hoarding collapse in Mumbai’s dust storm yesterday.
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) May 14, 2024
The 17,000 sqft hoarding was listed in the Limca Book of Records last year. The BMC says it was illegal, unauthorised.
FOURTEEN lives gone & counting.
Banana republic. pic.twitter.com/uHqx0tW1in
Information about the Collapse
At a whopping 120 feet by 120 feet, the fallen billboard was apparently far bigger than the 40 feet by 40 feet maximum allowed. The hoarding was put on a ten-year lease and belonged to Ego Media Pvt Ltd, according to press reports. The corporation even tried to get it inscribed in the Limca Book of Records as the largest commercial hoarding in India.
In Pant Nagar, Ghatkopar East, a busy gas pump collapsed, trapping many people beneath the rubble. After hours of intense rescue work, 16 confirmed deaths were reported. In addition, the incident resulted in nearly 70 injuries.
#WATCH | Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident | Owner Bhavesh Bhinde arrested by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch from Udaipur has been brought to Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/MWo7UDtVFW
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2024
Made an Arrest
After a prompt inquiry, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, Bhavesh Bhinde, was taken into custody by Mumbai Police. Bhinde is being charged with carelessness and breaking safety rules.
Bad news… 8 people died and approx 20-30 are still trapped under hoarding which collapsed in Maharashtra's Ghatkopar.
— Pooja Sangwan ( Modi Ka Parivar ) (@ThePerilousGirl) May 13, 2024
Om Shanti 🙏🏻😞💔 #Maharashtra #MumbaiRain #Ghatkopar pic.twitter.com/Uowmkf9Rjs https://t.co/aTciR3KHxj
Increased Attention to Billboard Safety
Mumbai’s billboard safety regulations need to be strictly enforced in view of this unfortunate incident. It is expected that municipal officials would study current regulations in-depth and take appropriate action to stop future occurrences of this kind.