KOLKATA: At least five workers died after an under-construction godown shed collapsed in Kolkata’s Taratala area on Tuesday afternoon.The incident left 20 others injured, two of whom were undergoing treatment in the ICU.Following the collapse, a massive search and rescue operation was launched involving the Army, SDRF, NDRF and local authorities.West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said rescue operations continued till late at night at the site.“Death toll stands at five. A total of 20 people are injured, of whom two are in the ICCU, and 18 are out of danger,” the chief minister said after reviewing the situation.The incident occurred at a privately owned godown under construction at B/2 Transport Depot Road, where a portion of the roof collapsed, trapping workers under the debris and triggering panic in the area. Initial reports had suggested that more than 20 workers were feared trapped after the structure gave way.Following the collapse, a multi-agency rescue operation was launched, with teams from Kolkata Police, fire and emergency services, disaster management units and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed at the site.Heavy machinery was brought in to clear the debris as rescuers worked cautiously to locate survivors. For immediate assistance to the state government, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority mobilised cranes, gas cutter sets, fire brigade units and ambulances with medical teams.Estate division officials and port security personnel were also deployed to assist with coordination and crowd control. Senior port authority officers monitored the rescue operations on the ground.Rescue teams continued debris removal late into the day amid concerns that more workers could have been trapped at the time of the collapse.Authorities said an investigation would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the structural failure, while further updates would follow as rescue operations progressed.
