Rescue efforts end in Ghatkopar tragedy
Following a devastating billboard fall that claimed 16 lives, authorities decided to end rescue operations at Ghatkopar's Pant Nagar on May 16 after a gruelling 63-hour effort. (Photo/Agencies)
Concerns arise over delay in debris clearing
Although the rescue workers' unwavering efforts saved many lives, questions have been raised about how long it took to clear the wreckage and recover the remains. (Photo/Agencies)
250 rescuers put in effort over two days
The relentless efforts of more than 250 rescue personnel persisted over two days, driven by the singular goal of reaching the 91 individuals caught beneath the debris. 71 mangled vehicles were also retrieved from the wreckage. (Photo/Agencies)
Challenges faced during rescue
For the rescuers, the recovery of the car where the Chansorias, retired ATC manager Manoj Chansoria and his wife Anita, were trapped proved to be the most challenging aspect of the 60-hour-plus rescue operation since the car had been crushed under one of the five huge girders of the hoarding. The 120-feet billboard rested atop five metal girders. (Photo/Agencies)
Nearby fuel tanks: Major hurdle in rescue
The biggest vulnerability in the entire rescue attempt turned out to be the close proximity to the compressed natural gas, diesel and petrol storage tanks at the petrol station, which was crushed beneath the hoarding. (Photo/Agencies)
Fuel proximity hindered use of gas cutters
After working for more than sixty hours, both senior officials and workers from different agencies who had been called in to help with the rescue reiterated that gas cutters could not be used because of the fuels' close proximity to the debris because even a tiny spark from the cylinders could potentially start another disaster, like a fire. (Photo/Agencies)
NDRF used hydraulic cutters, cranes
Because the gas cutters could not be used, the NDRF used hydraulic cutters to cut through smaller pieces of metal, while two 500-ton cranes were brought onto the site to handle larger pieces of metal. (Photo/Agencies)
Agencies used jaw crushers to clear debris
Following the crane failure on Tuesday, the agencies changed course and used jaw crushers to break up the metal debris into smaller pieces. After the metal scrap was reduced to even smaller sizes, these fragments were manually removed from the work site. (Photo/Agencies)