Taratala warehouse collapse: Death toll rises to 11, rescue efforts hit by thunderstorm
Kolkata, June 25 (IANS) The death toll in the roof collapse at an under-construction warehouse on P2 Transport Depot Road in Kolkata’s Taratala rose to 11 on Thursday.
Officials said 30 workers have been recovered from under the debris so far, with 11 confirmed dead and 19 undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital. One of them is reported to be in critical condition.
Rescue operations continued through Wednesday night and resumed Thursday morning, with teams from the Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Disaster Management Group of Kolkata Police, the Fire and Emergency Services, Kolkata Police, and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
They attempted to clear rubble and locate trapped workers, but no further response has been received from inside.
Operations were disrupted after 2 pm when a severe thunderstorm swept across Kolkata. Heavy rain and continuous lightning forced a halt, as hydraulic cranes could not be safely operated.
Earlier in the day, intense heat and humidity had already slowed progress, with teams rotating frequently. Gas cutters were used to slice through iron beams, while earth movers cleared debris. Rescue resumed after 3.30 pm once the storm subsided.
State Minister Indranil Khan inspected the site in the morning. A temporary medical camp was set up near the rubble to provide immediate treatment before transferring injured workers to the hospital.
Police have arrested five people in connection with the collapse. A suo motu FIR has been lodged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe construction lapses, with allegations that tin sheets were used beneath the concrete roofing structure.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the site on Wednesday and later met injured workers at SSKM Hospital.
He said the collapse was due to a faulty building plan and announced that work at all under-construction commercial properties in the KMC area will remain suspended until July 31.
–IANS
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