Panic and uncertainty continue to grip the Nazirabad area of Anandapur in south Kolkata following a devastating fire at a warehouse that broke out early on Monday. While initially, at least 11 deaths were reported in the incident, official sources confirmed on Wednesday that five more bodies have been recovered, taking the total death toll to 16.
Authorities now fear the number may rise further, as several workers remain unaccounted for. According to sources, between 16 and 20 people are still missing, many amongst whom were reportedly on night duty at the time of the fire, while some are believed to have been living inside the godown premises.
As rescue teams have not yet been able to trace the missing persons, apprehensions are growing that more casualties may be discovered once access to the interior of the warehouse is fully secured.
Meanwhile, the owner of the warehouse involved in the incident, Gangadhar Das, was arrested by Narendrapur police on Tuesday night. He was apprehended from his residence in East Medinipur.
Also Read: Kolkata fire: Owner of momo factory arrested
During preliminary questioning, the warehouse owner reportedly attempted to shift the blame onto a momo manufacturing company. It has emerged that Das owned the entire plot of land on which the warehouse stood, while the momo company had taken the warehouse on lease through decorators.
Serious allegations of negligence have surfaced against the warehouse owner, with sources claiming that despite a large number of workers being employed at the facility, there were no functional fire extinguishers or proper emergency exits in place. Such lapses are being viewed as major contributing factors to the scale of the tragedy.
As investigations continue, the incident has sparked renewed outrage over industrial safety standards and regulatory oversight, with families of the victims anxiously awaiting answers and accountability.
Follow us
