Two killed, Several Injured After Warehouse Roof Collapse in Kolkata’s Taratala; Rescue Efforts Continue

Kolkata: At least two people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after a portion of an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Kolkata’s Taratala area on Wednesday afternoon, triggering a large-scale rescue operation amid fears that more workers may still be trapped beneath the debris.

The incident occurred near Brace Bridge railway station when the roof being constructed on the third floor reportedly gave way during ongoing work, causing extensive structural collapse. Local residents and eyewitnesses said around 30 to 40 workers were believed to be inside the premises at the time.

Authorities have not yet released an official casualty figure, but rescue personnel indicated that the toll could rise as operations continue.

So far, around 10 severely injured individuals have been pulled out and shifted to the state-run SSKM Medical College Hospital, where they are receiving treatment in the trauma care unit. Hospital sources said some of the rescued workers remain in critical condition.

Emergency teams including Kolkata Police, central forces, fire and rescue services and the state disaster management authorities were deployed immediately after the collapse. Rescue teams have been using bulldozers, cranes, gas cutters and steel-cutting equipment to remove debris and create access routes for those trapped underneath. Vertical drilling methods were also being employed to reach survivors.

Army personnel joined the operation as heavy machinery worked to remove collapsed iron structures.

State Sports Minister Dr. Indranil Khan, who visited the site, said all available agencies had been mobilised and that rescuing trapped workers remained the government’s immediate priority.

Members of the disaster response teams said rescue efforts were being guided by calls and sounds believed to be coming from beneath the rubble.

According to locals, construction work had been underway at the warehouse for nearly a year. A fire department official said the collapse took place during roof casting work and alleged that poor-quality construction materials may have contributed to the incident, TNIE reported.

Minister Agnimitra Paul and Kolkata Municipal Corporation administrator Smeeta Pandey also reached the site to monitor developments.