Kolkata building collapse: Four killed, several feared trapped in under-construction warehouse
Kolkata: A massive rescue operation continued late into Wednesday after a three-storey warehouse under construction collapsed in Kolkata's Taratala area, killing four workers and leaving several others trapped beneath the debris.
Authorities said 17 injured workers were undergoing treatment at the state-run SSKM Hospital, while rescue personnel from multiple agencies worked through the debris in an effort to locate survivors. Officials fear more workers may still be trapped under the collapsed structure.
The incident occurred around noon on Transport Depot Road near Brace Bridge, where construction activity was underway when the partially built warehouse suddenly gave way. According to eyewitnesses, workers were present inside the structure when large sections of reinforced concrete and iron beams crashed to the ground.
Rescue workers reported hearing voices and cries for help from beneath the rubble, prompting an intensive search operation involving the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Kolkata Police, fire services and civil defence teams.
Heavy cranes, earth-moving equipment and gas cutters were deployed to clear debris, while sniffer dogs and drones were used to identify possible signs of life below the wreckage. Rescue personnel also carried out vertical drilling operations to reach those believed to be trapped in pockets beneath the collapsed structure.
Officials overseeing the operation said the scale of the destruction and the presence of large concrete slabs were slowing progress, raising the possibility of a prolonged rescue effort.
The collapsed structure is understood to be a leasehold property under the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of workers who were present at the site when the building came down.
At SSKM Hospital, a specialised medical team has been mobilised to treat the injured. Several of the rescued workers are reported to be in critical condition after suffering severe trauma.
While rescue efforts remain the immediate priority, preliminary observations at the site have raised serious questions about construction practices.
Engineers and civic officials present during the operation pointed to possible structural deficiencies, including concerns over the strength of support beams and the apparent absence of adequate bracing required during reinforced concrete casting. Officials also indicated that investigators would examine whether the construction adhered to approved structural designs and safety standards.
A fire department official separately alleged that poor-quality materials may have been used during construction, though these claims are yet to be independently verified.
The tragedy has also triggered allegations from local residents, who claim that unauthorised construction activity has been taking place in the area for some time.
Control room numbers -- 1070, 8697981070, 033-22143526/22535185 -- of the Disaster Management Group were opened at the state secretariat in the wake of the incident.
With PTI inputs