Kolkata: 2 Dead, several injured as under-construction building collapses, search ops underway

Kolkata: In an unfortunate turn of events, a five-story under-construction building collapsed in Kolkata leaving at least two people dead and many others stranded under the rubble on Sunday night. A part of the five-storey building collapsed on the adjacent slum in Hazari Mollah Bagan in the Garden Reach area around midnight. As many as 14 people have been rescued so far and a search operation is underway to find more survivors who may be trapped under the ruins.

“An under-construction building collapsed in the Garden Reach area late on Sunday night. We have rescued a few people. The recuse operation is still going on,” a police official said. Ambulances were stationed at the spot. Eyewitnesses, who were among the first responders, reported that concrete fragments began falling from the building before its collapse. The event was accompanied by a loud sound, and a dense cloud of dust enveloped the vicinity as the structure crumbled. According to locals, the debris scattered onto nearby shanties in the densely populated area.

“Although no one lived in the under-construction building, it collapsed on the adjacent shanties. We fear that many individuals might still be trapped under the rubble,” said a local resident.

In a post on X, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, “I urge @chief_west, Secretary @HomeBengal, @CPKolkata to immediately involve West Bengal State Disaster Management Team for immediate Rescue & Relief. I am receiving frantic calls regarding probable casualties. Please dispatch any team which can help in rescuing the victims, be it Fire Servicemen, Police or any other team (sic),” he said. Adhikari also shared pictures from the building collapse site.

A 5 storey building (illegally constructed) has collapsed at Hazari Mollah Bagan; Garden Reach; Metiabruz, KMC Ward No. 134.
This particular area falls under the so called 'citadel' of Hon’ble Mayor of Kolkata and Municipal Affairs Minister.

I urge @chief_west, Secretary… pic.twitter.com/tLvRD9QpmN

— Suvendu Adhikari (Modi Ka Parivar) (@SuvenduWB) March 17, 2024