Can hear cries for help, say workers at site of Kolkata warehouse collapse

Kolkata, June 24 (IANS) Workers who were present at the site after the roof of an under-construction warehouse collapsed at Taratala in Kolkata, said that they can still hear the trapped labourers screaming for help.

At least 50 to 60 workers were feared trapped following the incident.

Speaking to IANS, Soni Devi, who also worked at the warehouse, said: “We received a call at 11 a.m. that the entire company has collapsed, please come to save us.”

“I came from far away, didn’t even drop my child at school. There are 13 people inside — they are screaming for help. Their mobiles have got switched off.”

A worker told reporters that 40 to 50 labourers worked at the warehouse.

“People are still trapped. We can hear their screams from under the debris,” he said.

He added: “At any time, 30-40 people used to work here.”

A rescue operation was quickly launched, and around 13 workers were rescued, officials said, adding that the injured were rushed to SSKM Hospital for treatment.

The condition of five of the rescued injured is said to be critical.

The Indian Army, NDRF, Fire Brigade and Kolkata Police personnel were conducting rescue operations on a war footing.

Cranes and gas cutters have been brought to remove parts of the collapsed roof.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who took stock of the situation, will visit the site later on Wednesday.

State Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul has already reached the spot and was supervising the rescue operations.

According to locals, the roof of the under-construction warehouse suddenly collapsed on Wednesday afternoon. Several workers were working inside the warehouse and were trapped under the rubble.

Locals started rescue operations, and later police, fire brigade and NDRF teams reached the spot after receiving information.

According to the preliminary information available, a problem occurred during welding work inside the factory. At that time, 50 to 60 workers were working there. Some locals felt that heavy rain on Tuesday could have weakened the construction material, which gave way suddenly.

–IANS

cg/khz