Mumbai building collapse kills 11

[MaineDem]

A residential building has collapsed in Mumbai (Bombay), killing 11 people and injuring more than 20.

At least 20 others are believed to be trapped in the debris while nearly 50 people have been rescued by the emergency services.

One report said the four-storey building was more than 100 years old and had been in a poor condition.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4175460.stm

[Oerdin]

1. Shoddy construction

Seems to be par for the course in most of the world. Sad to see things like this happen even if it isn't entirely unexpected.

[jmatthan]

2. Mumbai has some of the finest constructions

that you will find in the world.

It also has some of the shoddiest built during British rule which are now in tumble down condition.

Mumbai is a small island and there is no way to rebuild except demolition and reconstruction. But that is much to complex a solution which no political party will put forward as that would ensure riots. Even slum clearance creates violent revolt.

The shoddy constructions are the back streets of Mumbai where the "natives" were crowded into and the two tier society that emerged after British rule and ensured that this remained along with the new third tier, which are the slum dwellers.

When buildings were built for the slum dwellers they sold of their rights to others and continued to live in the slums!!