Ten workers were buried alive when the protection wall at a construction site in Thane collapsed due to heavy rains on Friday afternoon, police said.

So far 10 bodies have been pulled out from the site in Mira Bhayander, a suburb of Mumbai, and two injured have been admitted to a local hospital, they said, adding some people are still feared to have been trapped in the debris. All the deceased are construction workers. A relief and rescue operation has been launched by the fire brigade and police with the help of locals, they said.

Fire brigade sources said they received a call around 2.30 am informing them about the incident and five fire engines were rushed to the scene.

The workers had put up transit huts at the site and were taking rest when the protection wall fell on them. It was not immediately known how many labourers were present at the construction spot, being developed by Rizvi Builders, they said.

The district has been receiving heavy rainfall since morning, flooding low-lying areas and disrupting traffic.