Four workers were killed and several others injured when a warehouse collapsed in the Tiljala area of Kolkata on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the early hours, with rescue operations continuing through the day.
Details of the Collapse
The four-storey warehouse, used for storing plastic goods, caved in around 4 am. At least 10 workers were inside at the time. Fire brigade and disaster management teams rescued five injured persons, who were taken to a nearby hospital.
According to officials, the building was old and had been recently renovated. The exact cause of the collapse is under investigation, but initial reports suggest structural weakness.
Political Reactions
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. She also ordered a probe into the matter.
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, who visited the site, claimed the construction was faulty. "This is a clear case of negligence. The building was not safe for occupancy, and the authorities failed to act," he told reporters.
Rescue and Aftermath
Rescuers used heavy machinery to clear debris and search for any remaining trapped persons. The area has been cordoned off, and an FIR has been lodged against the building owner.
The deceased were identified as migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The injured are reported to be in stable condition.
This tragedy has once again raised questions about building safety in Kolkata's older neighborhoods, where many structures are poorly maintained.
