A tragic incident occurred in Mumbai's Chunabhatti area late Thursday night when a 50-year-old autorickshaw driver was killed after a concrete slab fell from the 17th floor of a residential building. The deceased, identified as Abdul Wahab, a resident of Gaffar Estate in Bandra East, was returning home after completing his work for the day when the accident took place around 9.30 pm near Galaxy Apartment in Qureshi Nagar.
Details of the Incident
According to the victim's younger brother, Jahangir Wahab, who works at a transport office in the city, the concrete slab fell from a window on the 17th floor of the building. The slab first struck the shed of a cafe located below and then bounced directly onto Abdul Wahab's head. The cafe owner confirmed that the shed was being repaired after the incident and stated that the stone broke apart upon hitting the shed, with a piece striking the deceased on his head.
Allegations of Poor Maintenance
Jahangir Wahab alleged that poor maintenance of the building may have contributed to the tragedy. He claimed that the building appeared poorly maintained, which could have caused the concrete slab to come crashing down. He was informed of the incident by a friend who called to say his brother had suffered a severe head injury and was bleeding profusely. Abdul Wahab was rushed to Sion Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. According to the family, doctors stated that the head injury was so severe that it proved fatal.
Response from Authorities
Following the incident, the Mumbai Fire Brigade removed the precariously hanging portion of the parapet wall. The area around the building was cordoned off as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.
This tragic event highlights the potential dangers posed by poorly maintained buildings in the city. Authorities are urged to conduct thorough inspections to prevent such accidents in the future.
