Kolkata warehouse collapse: Death toll rises to 15, rescue ops continue on third day

The death toll in the Taratala warehouse collapse in south Kolkata rose to 15 on Friday after two more bodies were recovered from the debris and two injured workers died while undergoing treatment, officials said.

Rescue teams continued intensive search operations for the third consecutive day, with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kolkata Police, the Army, the state disaster management group and the fire services working to clear the rubble of the collapsed structure.

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Two unidentified bodies were recovered late on Thursday night. On Friday morning, two injured workers — 19-year-old Mannu Kumar, a native of Bihar's Munger district, and Sahil Sardar — succumbed to their injuries at the state-run SSKM Hospital, taking the death toll to 15.

Officials said Mannu Kumar had been rescued from the debris on June 24 and underwent surgery on Thursday night but could not be saved despite sustained medical efforts. His brother, Ghi Kumar, had died in the collapse, while their father remains hospitalised with injuries.

According to officials, 18 injured persons are currently undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital. Authorities fear that several more workers may still be trapped beneath the debris.

"Our immediate priority is to rescue every possible survivor and ensure the best medical care for the injured. Teams are working without interruption despite the extremely challenging conditions," an official said, adding that the operation would continue until every section of the debris had been thoroughly searched.

Rescuers are proceeding cautiously as the damaged structure remains unstable. Teams have deployed cameras beneath the rubble to detect signs of life, while mobile phone tower data is being used to help locate individuals whose phones remain active under the debris.

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The Indian Railways joined the rescue effort on Friday after the NDRF sought assistance in cutting through twisted steel beams that have hindered access to parts of the collapsed warehouse. Railway personnel equipped with oxy-cutting machines began work after inspecting the site on Thursday.

The accident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when the roof of a warehouse on Transport Depot Road in Taratala collapsed, trapping several workers inside. Rescue operations remain underway.

With inputs from PTI