Several people are feared trapped after an under-construction three-storey warehouse shed collapsed on Wednesday afternoon in the Taratala area of Kolkata. The warehouse was being constructed for over a year by a company near the Brace Bridge railway station.
A team from the Disaster Management Group (DMG) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the spot, attempting to cut portions of the iron shed in an effort to rescue the people trapped. Attempts were made using sniffer dogs to identify those trapped under the debris. The Army reached the spot as well to assist in the rescue operation. There were reportedly 50 workers on the site at the time of the collapse. Ambulances were at the spot for initial medical assistance, after which the injured were taken to the SSKM government hospital for treatment.
Heavy rains lashed the city on Tuesday, though it is unclear what led to the collapse of the shed. Prima facie, an iron beam which could not take the weight of the cement roof collapsed under pressure.
“It is an unfortunate incident. It will be probed. Our two ministers have reached the spot,” said Commerce and Industries Minister Tapas Roy at the West Bengal assembly.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Youth Services and Sports Department, Indranil Khan, reached the spot soon after the accident. “Our first priority is to recover the people trapped inside,” said Indranil Khan.
Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Commissioner Smita Pandey too reached the spot. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is monitoring the situation. Control rooms have been set up for assistance.
