Taratala horror deepens: Death toll rises to 17 as rescuers fear more victims under debris
Kolkata/IBNS: The death toll in the rooftop collapse at an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata's Taratala has risen to 17, with rescue teams continuing their search for survivors and victims more than three days after the accident, according to media reports.
Multi-agency rescue operation continues
The Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Railways, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Defence and other agencies are jointly carrying out rescue and recovery operations at the collapse site.
Authorities are continuing to clear the debris amid fears that more people may still be trapped underneath.
Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Injured undergoing treatment
Those injured in the collapse have been admitted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where they are undergoing treatment.
Search intensified amid fears of more victims
According to a Bengali media report, the rescue operation has been intensified as teams continue searching for additional bodies beneath the rubble.
Rescuers have also reported a foul odour emanating from the debris, raising concerns that more victims may still be trapped under the collapsed structure.
Six arrested in connection with collapse
Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Those arrested are:
- Gulzar Hussain, supervisor of Ayan Traders
- Kamal Samanta, iron structure fabricator
- Sambhunath Behera, lessee of the land
- Dibakar Bhandari, labour supplier and Trimex contractor
- Abdul Hamid, broker involved in obtaining sanction plans from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC)
- Kalicharan Banerjee, former Officer on Special Duty (OCD) to former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim
Drone footage shows massive rescue operations at #Taratala in Kolkata, where an under-construction warehouse roof collapsed.
— India Blooms (@indiablooms) June 24, 2026
Video: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari pic.twitter.com/AHmuFJKJhc
SIT constituted to probe incident
The West Bengal government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the collapse.
The SIT is headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Joysurja Mukherjee and will examine the circumstances leading to the accident, including alleged violations in the construction approval process.
Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Accident raises questions over construction safety standards
The collapse has triggered questions over construction safety standards and compliance with sanctioned building plans under the Trinamool Congress regime which was voted out of power last month.
Authorities are expected to scrutinise the project's approvals, execution and oversight as part of the ongoing investigation.
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