Kolkata godown collapse death toll rises to nine; five arrested as rescue operation continues

Kolkata: The death toll in the collapse of an under-construction godown in South Kolkata’s Taratala area increased to nine on Thursday, while 20 people were injured. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police on Wednesday night reportedly arrested five persons, including one Sambhunath Behera, for questioning.

State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee said one person is in a very critical condition, while five are critical, and nine have died. Post-mortems have been conducted on all except three bodies, he added.

“The mishap in Kolkata yesterday is saddening. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each will be given from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the mishap. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000. The state government is working round the clock to ensure that those affected receive all possible assistance: @narendramodi,” the PMO posted on X.


Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said on Thursday midnight, “The strictest punishment should be given. Some were architects, empanelled engineers, and they were to ensure appropriate designs were being followed. Because of these people, so many workers are trapped and suffering under the collapsed structure. I can’t imagine what punishment is apt for these people. We are confident our dynamic chief minister will take proper steps. No construction... We will not pay the price for what the previous Mamata Banerjee government has done.”

The minister said tunnels are being drilled from various sides to reach the victims trapped inside.

A three-storey under-construction warehouse in the Taratala area of Kolkata collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, following which West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a complete halt to all under-construction buildings.

Police sources said three persons were detained for questioning. One is the supervisor of the under-construction warehouse, while the other two are labour contractors who supplied contractual workers for the construction of the warehouse. Muhammad Gulzar, the supervisor of the under-construction warehouse, and Muhammad Atayul and Subhas Chowdhury, both labour contractors, are also being questioned.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and enquired about the condition of those injured in the roof collapse and admitted there for treatment.

Adhikari confirmed the deaths of five persons and said that a total of 20 injured people were undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Earlier in the afternoon, a team of the Indian Army joined the rescue operation at Taratala following a request from the state government. In addition, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also engaged in rescue operations. Kolkata Police and the West Bengal Fire Department are also involved in the ongoing rescue efforts.

The Indian Army is using live radars and sniffer dogs to detect the presence of life under the collapsed structure. “We are stabilising the victims and doing the work so that there is no adverse impact on the people trapped inside. We are moving cautiously," a senior official said.

“Four columns of #EasternComd #IndianArmy have been swiftly launched for a search and rescue operation in Central Kolkata’s Taratala neighbourhood today following the sudden collapse of an under-construction godown. Deployed immediately after a distress call from the civil administration, a specialised team of Army rescue personnel, specialist engineers and medical personnel are assisting in rescue efforts. In coordination with #NDRF, #SDRF and #KolkataPolice, the #IndianArmy personnel are sparing no effort to find several people believed to be trapped under heavy concrete debris,” Eastern Command said on X.

“Senior Army officers are coordinating the rescue efforts. #EasternCommand prays for the safety and well-being of the trapped citizens and assures that no effort will be spared to save them,” Eastern Command said.