At least 18 workers suffered injuries and several others remain feared trapped after a three-storey warehouse under construction collapsed in Kolkata Taratala area on Wednesday. Rescue teams pulled out the injured workers and rushed them to nearby hospitals, where doctors said four workers were in critical condition.
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The structure suddenly collapsed while workers carried out construction activities inside the building. The falling iron beams and concrete slabs buried several workers under the debris. Authorities estimate that around 40 to 50 people were present at the site when the collapse happened.
Emergency responders, including teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the fire department and state agencies, quickly reached the site and started a large-scale rescue operation. Rescue personnel used gas cutters to remove twisted steel and broken concrete, while teams carried out vertical drilling to reach workers trapped beneath the rubble.
The NDRF deployed sniffer dogs and drones to locate survivors under the debris. Eyewitnesses reported hearing cries for help from trapped workers as rescuers continued their efforts. Officials assured the victims that rescue teams were working continuously to evacuate everyone safely.
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Kolkata:Iron Beams and Concrete Slabs Fall as Three-Storey Structure Gives Way
Authorities said workers were carrying out construction work on the ground floor while they had already completed the reinforced concrete structures on the upper floors. A fire department official said the building collapsed during concrete casting work and added that investigators would check whether poor-quality construction materials caused the accident.
The West Bengal government set up a control room at Nabanna to monitor rescue and relief operations. State minister Indranil Khan visited the site and said officials were prioritising rescue efforts to save lives. Authorities will investigate the cause of the collapse and examine any possible violations of construction and safety rules..
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