At least 15 dead in building collapse in India’s Maharashtra PHOTO

At least 15 people were killed after a residential building collapsed in the state of Maharashtra in central India.

The illegally constructed four-story building, which contained about 50 apartments, came crashing down onto an adjacent vacant house, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian media.

Eyewitnesses said a birthday celebration for a one-year-old girl was underway on the fourth floor when 12 apartments in one wing of the building suddenly collapsed, trapping residents and guests beneath the rubble.

Rescue teams worked through the night to clear the debris. Local officials confirmed the death toll at 15 and said the search-and-rescue operation remains ongoing to ensure no other people are trapped.

By Khagan Isayev