Kolkata factory shed collapse: 3 dead, several injured, feared trapped

At least three people died and several were injured, when an under-construction factory shed collapsed in the Taratala area of Kolkata on Wednesday (June 24). The injured have been rushed to the hospital. The administration is yet to determine the number of people trapped under the debris. The death toll was annunced by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

"Deeply pained and saddened by the loss of lives due to the tragic collapse of an under-construction warehouse building near Brace Bridge in Taratala, where several workers got trapped beneath the debris. Words fail to express my sorrow for the 3 precious lives lost in this tragedy. My deepest condolences go out to their bereaved families," stated Adhikari in a post on X.

Workers trapped under debris

The incident took place when several construction workers were inside the shade, and large iron beams and concrete slabs caved in on them, trapping several underneath. A large-scale rescue operation has started.

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Along with the Fire Brigade, the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have joined the rescue operation.

Local residents claim that between 30 and 50 people may still be trapped. Many family members have arrived at the site searching for their loved ones.

A Fire Department official said that the shed collapsed when casting work was taking place, adding that the use of substandard material could not be ruled out as a possible reason behind the accident.

Rescue operations launched

Gas cutters are being used by rescue personnel to cut open twisted iron beams and reinforced concrete, reported India Today, adding that vertical drilling is also being carried out to reach those trapped under the debris.

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"We are following the cries for help coming from under the debris. At the same time, we are assuring the trapped people that they will be rescued soon," the report quoted a member of the Kolkata Police disaster management as saying.

"We will definitely look into the causes of the accident and whether there were any irregularities. But right now, the priority is to rescue as many victims as possible," said State minister Indranil Khan visited the spot along with Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul and Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey.

The warehouse has reportedly been under construction for the past six to seven months.

Questions over construction quality

Local media reports quoting sources stated that a layer of concrete had been placed over an iron framework. Residents claimed that the structure had been shaking since morning. A few workers had gone to inspect it when the roof suddenly caved in.

Several cranes have been deployed at the site, including hydraulic cranes capable of lifting up to 50 tonnes. Rescuers initially tried to dig through the ground from the rear side of the collapsed structure to gain access, but that effort failed.

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They later cut through iron beams in the middle section of the structure to create an opening. Arrangements were then made to allow air and water to reach those trapped inside.

The warehouse, spread across several thousand square feet, had an area designated for workers’ accommodation. Local security guards are being consulted to determine where workers may have been staying and where they were positioned just before the collapse. Iron beams have been secured to cranes for removal.