A three-storey under-construction warehouse crumbled in Kolkata's Taratala area on Wednesday afternoon, leaving four workers dead and 17 others injured, with around 18 people still feared trapped under the debris. The incident occurred around noon on Transport Depot Road near Brace Bridge, where the structure — a lease-hold property under the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port — gave way during casting work.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the site and confirmed that 21 people had been rescued so far, with three initially reported dead. The toll later rose to four. All rescued workers were rushed to the Trauma Care Centre at state-run SSKM Hospital, where several remain in critical condition. A multi-disciplinary medical team, including neurologists, orthopaedists, and general medicine experts, has been formed to treat the severely injured.
Eyewitnesses described hearing trapped victims crying for help from beneath massive chunks of iron beams and concrete. 'Construction was ongoing on the ground floor while the RCC structure for the upper floors was complete. The entire building came crashing down,' one witness said. A fire department official alleged that substandard materials were used in the construction.
Rescue operations involve personnel from Kolkata Police, disaster management teams, civil defence, fire services, and the Army. Cranes, heavy lifting equipment, and gas cutters are being used to remove debris. NDRF teams have deployed sniffer dogs and overhead drones to detect signs of life. 'We are following cries for help and assuring trapped people they will be rescued soon,' a police official said. The Army confirmed on X that a specialised team of rescue personnel, engineers, and medics is assisting. Given the large concrete blocks, officials warn the operation may take considerable time.
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📰 Source: Sahil Online