Tragic Billboard Collapse in India Leaves 14 Dead, 74 Injured

A massive billboard collapsed onto pedestrians in Mumbai, India, during a thunderstorm, killing at least 14 people and injuring 74 others. Rescuers continued to search for survivors on Tuesday.

Mumbai, India - A towering billboard collapsed onto a group of pedestrians in the Indian city of Mumbai on Monday evening, killing at least 14 people and injuring 74 others. The tragic incident occurred during a thunderstorm that brought heavy rain and high winds.

According to city officials, the 100-foot-tall billboard fell onto a gas station in the suburb of Ghatkopar in the western part of Mumbai. The collapse occurred at around 8:30 p.m. local time, when many people were gathered at the gas station to seek shelter from the storm.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and panic as the billboard crashed down. "I heard a loud noise and then everything went dark," said one survivor. "When I got up, I saw that the billboard had fallen on top of people."

Rescuers from the fire department and police rushed to the scene to extricate victims from the wreckage. The operation continued into Tuesday morning, as it was believed that some people might still be trapped.

As of Tuesday morning, 44 injured individuals were receiving medical treatment, while 31 had been discharged after receiving first aid. The death toll is expected to rise as the search and rescue efforts continue.

City officials have blamed the turbulent weather for the deadly collapse. "Yesterday (13 May) evening, in the Chheda Nagar area of Ghatkopar, a tragic incident occurred due to speedy winds, resulting in the collapse of a hoarding," they said in a statement.

Police are investigating the collapse and are examining whether the billboard was illegally installed. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that the billboard may have been erected without proper permits.

India often experiences heavy rain and severe floods, especially during its monsoon season, which typically stretches from June to September. This season brings most of India's annual rainfall and is crucial for agriculture, but it also often causes extensive damage.

The collapse of the billboard in Mumbai has raised concerns about the safety of such structures in India. City officials have vowed to conduct a thorough investigation and to take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.