Mumbai building collapse: 25-year-old narrates how he narrowly escaped

Twenty-five-year-old Mohammed Rafiq had a narrow escape as he managed to dash out of the dilapidated Husaini Building in Bhendi Bazaar moments before it collapsed, leaving at least 21 dead.

“I had come to collect my belongings last night before leaving for my native place in Uttar Pradesh this morning. I ran out as soon as I heard a loud noise,” Rafiq said.

Some people in his room were brushing teeth when they heard cries outside, “Run… the building is about to crumble. I don’t know how many people were there in the building. I ran out immediately. My mobile phone and bag remained inside, but I am relieved that I am alive,” he said.

Another man, living in the opposite building, said, “The incident happened at around 8.30 am. There was a big noise. When we heard it, we came out and saw that the building had crumbled like a pack of cards.”

People in the ill-fated building were occupying the second, fourth and fifth floors, while some workers were living on the ground floor, he said.

“There was a playgroup in that building which opens around 9 am, so thankfully there were no children around there,” he said.

“People used to stay on the …read more