India building collapse toll climbs to 35, search efforts continue

Rescue workers battled rain and cramped conditions to look for possible survivors as the toll from an apartment building collapse in the Indian city of Mumbai rose to 35.

"It's been more than three days, so we don't know if there are any survivors any more, but we are not losing hope," Satya Pradhan, head of the National Disaster Response Force, told Reuters.

At least eight people are still missing and rescue personnel are clearing debris to look for them, said Pradhan.

The building, a three-storey structure in a narrow alley of the industrial town of Bhiwandi, on the north-east outskirts of Mumbai, collapsed early on Monday.

Rescue work has been hampered by rain and a narrow entrance to the alley, which prevented heavy equipment from being brought in to clear debris.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the collapse of the structure that housed 54 apartments.