Kolkata, June 24: A tragic incident occurred in the Taratala area of South Kolkata, where the roof of an under-construction warehouse collapsed, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Approximately 18 people remain trapped inside, while 21 workers have been rescued. Reports indicate that over 40 laborers were caught in the debris.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the site with several ministers and government officials to oversee the rescue operations. After the visit, he addressed the media at the state secretariat, Nabanna.
The incident took place at 12:07 PM. Adhikari expressed gratitude to the Civil Defense, Fire Department, and Kolkata Police for their prompt response, which helped save numerous lives. He also commended the efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, noting that Indian Army soldiers are also on-site assisting with the rescue.
The Chief Minister confirmed that three fatalities have been reported, with around 21 individuals rescued and 12 others receiving treatment at SSKM Hospital. He stated that 15 to 18 workers are still trapped under the rubble but are alive and in contact with rescue teams. They have been provided with water and oxygen, and efforts to extract them are ongoing.
Adhikari mentioned that the building plan for the warehouse was flawed, and actions will be taken against its owners. The plan was approved on January 17 of this year. Initially, engineers from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) indicated that the plan was incorrect and promised a detailed report later in the day. The owners, Behra Brothers, will face consequences for this oversight.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister announced that all construction work on commercial properties in the area will be halted until July 31. KMC has been instructed to suspend work on such properties and conduct audits of building and site plans. Only those with proper documentation will be allowed to resume work from August 1.
Adhikari also stated that he would soon visit the injured workers at SSKM Hospital. Among the deceased, two have been identified as Rohit Chaudhary and Krishna Chaudhary.
On Wednesday afternoon, the roof of the warehouse collapsed while approximately 40 to 50 workers were inside. Rescue operations are being conducted at a war footing by Civil Defense, the Indian Army, NDRF, the Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, and KMC personnel. Hydraulic cranes and gas cutters have been deployed to remove debris. The state’s Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister, Agnimitra Paul, arrived at the scene to supervise the rescue efforts.
According to local witnesses, the roof fell suddenly while many workers were inside. Local residents began rescue efforts before the arrival of police, fire brigade, and NDRF teams. Initial reports suggest that an issue arose during welding work inside the factory.
A hydraulic crane capable of lifting up to 50 tons has been stationed at the site to stabilize the collapsed structure and prevent further collapse. Preliminary information indicates that the warehouse covers an area of approximately 20,000 square feet.
There were no walls or separate rooms within the main structure, leading to a complete collapse at once. The iron beams buckled in several places due to excessive weight. Police have also deployed sniffer dogs to search for any remaining workers trapped in the debris.
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