The death toll following Wednesday’s warehouse collapse in the Taratala area of Kolkata has risen to 11. Emergency crews continue to search the rubble of the under-construction structure, which was being developed by Behera Brothers on land owned by the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.
Casualties and Ongoing Rescue Operations at Taratala
Rescue operations at the site of the collapsed three-storey warehouse on Transport Depot Road have been operating on a war footing since Wednesday. According to reports, 21 people were initially pulled from the debris.
The site, located near Brace Bridge, remains a focus for multi-agency recovery efforts. Personnel from the Kolkata Police, the Disaster Management Group, civil defense, and fire and emergency services have been joined by Army officials. Teams are utilizing heavy equipment, including cranes and gas cutters, to navigate the twisted iron beams and concrete slabs. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also deployed sniffer dogs and overhead drones to locate potential survivors. A member of the Kolkata Police disaster management group noted the urgency of the situation, explaining that they were tracking cries for help from beneath the debris while simultaneously reassuring those trapped that rescue was imminent, as documented by India.com.
Structural Integrity and Regulatory Concerns
The warehouse was part of an under-construction complex being developed by Behera Brothers on a leasehold property belonging to the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. Eyewitness accounts suggest the structure failed while construction was ongoing on the ground floor, despite the reinforced concrete cement (RCC) structure for the upper floors being completed.
Authorities and structural experts at the scene have raised immediate questions regarding the building’s design. A structural engineer present at the site pointed to potential flaws, suggesting that the iron beams appeared insufficient to support the weight of the overhead concrete and noting the absence of required braces for the RCC casting. Further allegations from a fire department official suggest that substandard materials may have been used during the construction process. Minister Indranil Khan emphasized that while the immediate focus remains on rescue, the government intends to investigate the incident for potential irregularities, according to India.com.
Government Response and Victim Support
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the collapse. In addition to visiting the site to oversee response efforts, the Chief Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of the victims. To assist families and coordinate information, the state government has established dedicated control room numbers: 1070, 8697981070, and 033-22143526/22535185.
Worth a look
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.