Three Arrested After Kolkata Warehouse Collapse
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the warehouse collapse in Kolkata that claimed several lives, police confirmed on Tuesday. The arrests were made following a formal complaint lodged by the family of one of the deceased workers, officials said.
The incident occurred in the Tangra area of Kolkata on Monday evening, where a multi-storey warehouse storing chemical products suddenly caved in. Rescue operations continued for over 12 hours, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local fire brigade working to extract survivors and bodies from the debris.
FIR Filed Against Warehouse Owners
According to police sources, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the owners of the warehouse under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death by negligence. The complaint was filed by the family of a 32-year-old worker who died in the collapse.
“We have arrested three persons, including the manager and two supervisors of the warehouse, based on the complaint. They are being questioned to ascertain the exact cause of the collapse and whether any safety norms were violated,” said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.
Death Toll Rises to Seven
The death toll from the collapse has risen to seven, with four workers still missing, according to Kolkata Municipal Corporation officials. At least 12 others were injured and are undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals. The building was reportedly used for storing industrial chemicals, and the collapse is suspected to have been triggered by structural overload and lack of maintenance.
“The building was old and had been used for storage for years. We suspect that the owners had made illegal alterations that weakened the structure,” said an official from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s building department.
Authorities Launch Probe
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident, focusing on the building’s structural integrity and whether the owners had obtained necessary approvals for its use as a chemical warehouse. The state government has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker.
“We will ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are brought to justice. Strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of negligence,” said a state minister who visited the site.
Rescue operations have been called off, and the debris removal process is underway. The arrested individuals are expected to be produced in court later this week.
