- By Chetna Shree
- Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:02 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Eight workers killed, 20 injured in Kolkata warehouse collapse.
- CM ordered probe; KMC found serious building plan flaws.
- All KMC commercial construction suspended for audit until July 31.
Kolkata Warehouse Collapse Updates: At least eight workers were killed and 20 others injured after the roof of an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Kolkata's Taratala area on Wednesday. Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the site, and relief and rescue operations continued late into the night.
Death Toll Feared To Rise; CM Orders Investigation
According to preliminary reports, the roof of the multi-storey warehouse, which had been under construction for nearly 18 months, collapsed at around 12:07 PM on Wednesday. Around 40 workers were working on the site when the structure collapsed, and 15 people are still feared trapped under the debris. Officials have warned that the death toll is expected to rise. The deceased have been identified as Krishna Chaudhary, Rohit Chaudhary, and Rahul Chaudhary, while the names of the others are still unknown.
The injured were rushed to SSKM Hospital for treatment, where two of them remain in critical condition. Shortly after the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the scene to inspect the area, and an investigation into the exact cause of the incident has been launched.
Had No Separate Walls Or Rooms
According to a report by Jagran.com, the warehouse, which spanned approximately 20,000 square feet, lacked separate walls or rooms, causing the structure to collapse. Under the pressure of an additional load, the heavy iron support beams buckled in multiple places.
Teams from the Civil Defence, Army, NDRF, Fire Brigade, and Kolkata Police conducted a joint operation at the scene. Several cranes and a 50-ton hydraulic crane were deployed to remove the heavy concrete structure and iron beams.
Locals Claim Structure Was Shaking Since Morning
Meanwhile, local residents have claimed that the under-construction structure has been shaking since Wednesday morning. Workers attempted to inspect the building's condition shortly before the entire structure, including its iron beams, suddenly collapsed.
Police have arrested Supervisor Syed Mohammad Gulzar along with labour suppliers Mohammad Ataul and Subhash Chaudhary. The role of the warehouse contractor, Mohammad Asghar, is also under investigation.
KMC Finds Serious Flaws In Building Plan; CM Assures Action Against Owners
The Chief Minister visited the site to review the relief and rescue operations. He announced that compensation and action regarding the incident will be declared in the Assembly tomorrow. He further stated that the building plan of the under-construction warehouse had serious flaws, which Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) engineers have verified in their initial investigation.
Authorities stated that strict action will be taken against the warehouse owners, Behera Brothers, once a detailed technical report is submitted. The building plan had been approved earlier this year, on January 17, to store and package tea leaves. The owners had acquired the land on a 30-year lease from the Kolkata Port, the report added.
Adhikari has also announced that work on all commercial buildings under construction in the KMC area will be suspended until July 31. During this period, authorities will conduct an audit of building and site plans approved during Mamata Banerjee's tenure, along with on-site inspections.
The government has clarified that only those projects whose documentation and permissions are found to be in order will be allowed to resume work from August 1.
(With Inputs From Jagran.com)