Kolkata Warehouse Roof Collapse: 50 Trapped in Taratala

KOLKATA (IANS): At least 50 to 60 labourers are feared trapped after the roof of an under-construction warehouse suddenly collapsed in South Kolkata’s Taratala neighbourhood on Wednesday afternoon.

Rescue teams have launched a massive operation at the site. Rescuers have safely pulled out around 13 workers so far, rushing them to the SSKM Hospital for medical treatment. Doctors report that five of the rescued workers remain in critical condition.

War-Footing Rescue Operation Underway

The Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the West Bengal Fire Brigade, and the Kolkata Police have converged at the disaster site to lead search-and-rescue efforts.

• Heavy Machinery Deployed: Rescuers are using cranes and heavy-duty gas cutters to slice through massive iron beams and clear the collapsed roof sections.
• Voices Under Rubble: Local residents claim they can hear the muffled cries of multiple workers trapped deep beneath the debris.
• Emergency Infrastructure: A fleet of ambulances remains stationed at the site, and the state government has set up an emergency control room at Nabanna, the state secretariat.

What Caused the Collapse?

According to preliminary reports, a mechanical failure or accident occurred during internal welding work while nearly 60 labourers were active inside the structure. Local residents also noted that torrential rains on Tuesday may have severely compromised and weakened the raw construction materials, leading to the sudden structural failure.

Local eyewitnesses initially rushed to pull survivors from the wreckage before specialized disaster teams arrived to take over the perimeter.

Government Mobilizes Response

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assessed the unfolding crisis and will visit Taratala. Meanwhile, State Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul, alongside State Minister Indranil Khan, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Commissioner Smita Pandey, and BJP leader Rakesh Singh, are already on the ground supervising the rescue teams.

“Our absolute and immediate priority right now is saving lives and pulling every single worker out of that rubble as fast as possible,” Minister Indranil Khan stated from the site.