5 feared dead after under-construction godown collapses near Kolkata

Five persons are feared dead after an under-construction godown collapsed near Brace Bridge in the Taratala area of Kolkata, according to All India Radio.

A Kolkata Police official told PTI that four people have so far been rescued.

Locals said the accident occurred at around 12:45 pm, according to ABP Ananda.

The three-storey under-construction godown belonged to a tea company. It was located on Transport Depot Road near Brace Bridge in the area.

The PTI reported that personnel of the Kolkata Police, Disaster Management Group, civil defence, and fire and emergency services teams were seen carrying out rescue operations at the site. Army officials were also seen aiding rescue operations.

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Gas cutters were being used to cut through the iron and concrete and rescuers were trying to reach the trapped persons through vertical drilling.

"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," a Kolkata Police official said.

Videos from the site show rescue personnel at work. Cranes and heavy equipment lifting machines have been deployed to remove the collapsed iron beams.

ABP Ananda reported that construction workers were installing iron beams and pouring concrete from above while gradually moving downward at the time of the accident. Of the three storeys, the upper two storeys had already been concreted while concreting work on the first-floor roof was underway at the time of the accident.

Up to 50-60 people are believed to be trapped under the rubble.

BJP leader Rakesh Singh has called for the arrest of the builder, whom he identified as Shambhu Bera, and the registration of an FIR in the matter.

In a post on X, MoS (Independent Charge) Indranil Khan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said he had arrived at the site to coordinate emergency relief and rescue work at the orders of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The authorities have released the following numbers for help: 1070, 8697981070, and 033-22143526/22535185.