A total of 14 people were killed and 74 others injured after a huge iron billboard collapsed in India's financial capital of Mumbai amid gusty winds and rains that hit the city, local media reports said on Tuesday.

The incident took place in Ghatkopar area of the city on Monday.

Local reports said many people are still feared under the 100-foot tall billboard that collapsed on a petrol pump at the Cheddanagar Junction, trapping vehicles and people.

Authorities have rushed a team of India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the spot to carry out rescue operations.

Officials said rescuers have brought in cranes and gas cutters to cut the iron scaffolding and bring out the holed-up people.

Several incidents of uprooting of trees and billboards resulting in injuring people have been reported from across the city. These incidents coupled with waterlogging due to rains have resulted in disruption of traffic.

Officials said landing and takeoff operations at the Mumbai airport were temporarily suspended in the wake of the dust storm. The airport authority said in an update that the operations resumed at 17:03 local time and it witnessed 15 flight diversions during the storm.

Train services were also affected due to heavy rains accompanied by strong wind speed. Metro services were suspended between Aarey and Andheri East metro stations after a billboard landed on the overhead wire due to strong winds.

SHOTLIST:

Mumbai, India - May 13, 2024
1. Various of rescue in progress;
2. Rescuers at site;
3. Ambulance at site;
4. Traffic police officers at site;
5. Residents;
6. Traffic.

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