Kolkata Warehouse Fire Tragedy Deepens as Death Toll Reaches 21
The devastating fire that engulfed two warehouses in Kolkata's Anandapur area has now claimed 21 lives, according to police sources confirmed on Thursday. In a heartbreaking development, 27 individuals remain missing as rescue operations continue four days after the initial blaze.
Rescue Operations Continue Amidst Growing Despair
Emergency teams are employing cranes and gas cutters in their desperate search for survivors and victims, while anguished families maintain vigil at the site, hoping for news of their loved ones. The inferno erupted around 3 am on January 26 at a building housing the warehouse of popular momos chain Wow! Momo, located under Narendrapur police station jurisdiction in Sonapur constituency.
The warehouse was reportedly packed with soft drinks and dry food packets when the fire broke out while workers were sleeping inside the structure. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the city and raised serious questions about safety protocols in commercial establishments.
Wow! Momo Issues Statement Amidst Growing Controversy
On Wednesday, Wow! Momo released an official statement addressing the catastrophe. The company clarified that "the fire spread from the adjoining godown to our premises due to unauthorised cooking", resulting in the deaths of two employees and a security guard.
The emotional statement continued: "This fire engulfed not only our men, our spirit too. Our hearts, our minds, and our prayers go out to the families of the deceased, and so does our commitment to ensure the families are taken care of sufficiently for life."
The company emphasized they have met with all three affected families and promised support beyond statutory and government benefits. However, this statement has done little to quell the growing political storm surrounding the incident.
Political Firestorm Erupts Over Arrest Delays
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has launched scathing criticism against Kolkata police for what they perceive as deliberate delays in arresting Wow! Momo owners Vinod Homagai and Sagar Dariyani. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty made explosive allegations, suggesting authorities might have accepted bribes to cover up the matter.
Chakraborty told media: "In the name of change, wetlands are being filled up. If one sees the 2011 satellite map, there is nothing; slowly, everything has changed. It's because lots of money has illicitly flown to the state government to cover up the whole issue."
He further speculated about political motivations, noting that the arrested warehouse owner Gangadhar Das hails from Midnapore and "must be a BJP man, probably why he has been arrested." The CPI(M) leader accused the government of showing "least interest in arresting all the culprits."
Legal Battle Over Protest Rally Permission
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari found himself embroiled in a legal confrontation with authorities over his planned protest rally. Adhikari had sought permission to lead a demonstration from Garia to Narendrapur police station and visit the accident site, but police invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to deny his request.
The police order stated that such activities could potentially lead to "tampering with evidence, obstruction of Investigation, disturbance of public tranquility, and hindrance to the ongoing emergency and investigate operations." Authorities cited the "sensitivity and gravity of the incident" as justification for imposing immediate prohibitory measures in the area.
Undeterred, Adhikari approached the Calcutta High Court seeking permission to proceed with the rally. The court granted permission to file the matter, with hearings scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 2 pm.
Ongoing Investigation and Arrests
Police have already taken warehouse owner Gangadhar Das into custody, with his remand extended until February 4. However, the failure to apprehend the momos company owners has become a focal point of political criticism and public outrage.
As rescue operations continue and the political drama unfolds, the city of Kolkata mourns the tragic loss of life in one of its worst industrial accidents in recent memory. The incident has exposed serious questions about:
- Warehouse safety standards and regulations
- Emergency response protocols
- Political accountability in industrial accidents
- Legal processes following major tragedies
The coming days are likely to see increased pressure on authorities to provide answers, ensure justice for victims' families, and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
