Under-construction warehouse collapses in Kolkata's Taratala; 5 dead, over 50 feared trapped
Several people were trapped after an under-construction warehouse collapsed near the Taratala transport depot in South Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon.
So far, five people have died in the incident. It is feared that 50 to 55 people may be trapped under the debris.
Thirteen people trapped in the rubble have been rescued. Nine of the injured have been admitted to the Trauma Care Centre at SSKM Hospital for treatment.
According to locals, concrete pouring work was underway at the warehouse at the time of the accident. Police stated that the Kolkata Police, Disaster Management Group, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Army are engaged in the rescue operation.
Cranes have been brought in to remove the debris and iron rods. Iron rods are being cut using gas cutters. The screams of trapped laborers and workers can be heard, and efforts to rescue them as quickly as possible are ongoing.
Teams from the Kolkata Police, Disaster Management Group, Civil Defence, and the Fire Department are deployed at the site for rescue operations.
Additionally, an NDRF team has arrived to assist with the search and rescue operations.
Dr. Indranil Khan, a Minister of State (Independent Charge) in West Bengal, who is present at the scene, described the structure as an illegal construction. He added that the police and the Army are jointly conducting the rescue operation.
A BJP worker stated that he had pulled out about ten people from inside and that dozens more could be trapped there.