At least eleven people lost their lives when a warehouse collapsed in the Taratala area of Kolkata on Thursday. The incident occurred in the early morning hours, trapping several workers under the debris. Rescue operations were launched immediately by the Kolkata Police, Fire Brigade, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
According to officials, the warehouse was being used for storing chemicals and other materials. The cause of the collapse is suspected to be structural failure due to illegal construction and poor maintenance. Ten bodies were recovered from the site by midday, with one more victim found later in the evening. At least three injured persons were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals, where their condition is reported to be stable.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials stated that the building had no valid occupancy certificate and was operating illegally. "The structure was unsafe and had been flagged earlier, but no action was taken," a KMC official said on condition of anonymity.
Arrests Made
Kolkata Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the collapse, including the warehouse owner, the builder, and three site supervisors. They have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent conduct, and violation of building norms. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Port Division) Mithun Mukherjee confirmed that a case has been registered and further investigations are underway. "We are probing if there was any criminal negligence. More arrests cannot be ruled out," Mukherjee said.
Government Response
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. She also ordered a high-level inquiry into the collapse. "Those responsible will not be spared. Strict action will be taken against all violators," she said in a statement.
Opposition parties criticized the state government for failing to prevent the tragedy. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Sukanta Majumdar accused the Trinamool Congress government of corruption and negligence. "This is a man-made disaster. The government should be held accountable for allowing illegal constructions to flourish," Majumdar said.
Safety Concerns
The incident has raised serious questions about building safety in Kolkata, especially in industrial areas where warehouses and factories often operate without proper permits. According to data from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, over 1,000 buildings in the city are considered unsafe and have been served demolition notices. However, enforcement remains weak due to legal hurdles and political interference.
Local residents said they had complained about the dilapidated condition of the warehouse multiple times but no action was taken. "We knew this would happen. The building was shaking whenever trucks entered. The authorities ignored our pleas," said a neighbor, who did not wish to be named.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Kolkata Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter. The SIT will examine the structural plans, ownership details, and any previous notices issued to the building. The arrested individuals are being produced in court and have been remanded to police custody.
The incident is reminiscent of a similar collapse in 2023 in the same area, where three people died. Activists have called for a comprehensive audit of all old and illegal structures in the city to prevent future tragedies. The state government has promised to expedite the demolition of dangerous buildings, but concrete steps are yet to be seen.
