New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of lives in the building collapse incident at Maharashtra's Palghar district.

In a post on X, President Murmu termed the incident "extremely tragic".

"The collapse of a building in Virar, Maharashtra, resulting in the death of several people is extremely tragic. I express my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this accident and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," the President posted.

Meanwhile, the death toll of the Palghar building collapse incident has risen to 15, and nine people have been injured. Two residents are missing, and rescue operations to find them are underway, officials said on Thursday.

A section of the Ramabai Apartment, a four-storey building in Virar East, Palghar district, collapsed late Tuesday night.

"15 people have died. Nine people are injured and are being treated. Residents here say that 2 people are missing and rescue operations are on to find them," Sanjay Hirwade, Additional Commissioner of Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation, told reporters.

Vasai Virar police on Thursday arrested the builder of the building that collapsed in Palghar on Tuesday night, police said.

The builder has been identified as a 50-year-old Niley Sane, who has been booked under sections 52, 53, 54 of the MRTP (Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act) and section 105 of the BNS.

"Vasai Virar police have arrested the builder who had constructed the building. The said individual has been arrested under various sections, including attempt to murder and negligence. The builder has been identified as Niley Sane, aged 50. Builder has been booked under sections 52, 53, 54 of the MRTP (Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act) and BNS 105," Vasai Virar police said in a statement.

In the initial manual and canine search, four people were pulled out; one was declared dead on site, and three were rescued alive. Tragically, a one-year-old child succumbed while being transported to the hospital.

Emergency services, including the fire brigade and local police, are actively involved alongside NDRF teams. Authorities have set up barricades to maintain crowd control and are assessing the structural integrity of adjacent buildings. Several residents in adjoining buildings have been temporarily evacuated as a precautionary measure.

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The incident occurred around 12:00 a.m., when the rear portion of the building collapsed onto an adjacent chawl, trapping multiple residents beneath the debris.