The death toll in the tragic collapse of an under-construction warehouse shed in Taratala has risen to 15, even as a high-intensity, overnight rescue operation continues to search for those still feared trapped beneath the debris.
A massive rescue effort, carried out on a war footing, has brought together personnel from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Management Group, Kolkata Police, and the Fire Brigade. According to the latest reports, 31 individuals have been pulled out of the rubble so far. Of them, doctors at SSKM Hospital have declared 15 dead, while the injured are undergoing treatment.
On Thursday morning, rescue teams managed to pull out five more survivors from the debris. However, officials fear that several others may still be trapped underneath. The Army has deployed state-of-the-art equipment to detect signs of life and accelerate the rescue process.
In a grim development, the body of contractor Asgar Hussain — who had been missing since the incident last Wednesday — was recovered from the debris on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, Shambhunath Behera, who had leased the land from the Port Trust for constructing the warehouse, was arrested shortly after the accident. Four other individuals have also been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the incident.
Among the victims, the story of 17-year-old Sahil Sardar has struck a particularly emotional chord. A resident of Kakdwip, Sahil had come to Kolkata for the first time on Wednesday to visit his cousin, who worked at the site. What was meant to be a joyful visit tragically turned fatal, as the teenager lost his life in the collapse.
Another victim, Rohit Chowdhury, a 20-year-old from Ghazipur in Katwa, had joined the construction company barely a month and a half ago in hopes of earning a livelihood. His body was recovered from the debris, leaving his family in deep shock and grief. News of his death plunged his home in Chowdhurypara into mourning, with family members breaking down upon hearing of the tragedy.
As rescue operations continue, authorities remain focused on locating any remaining survivors, while questions are being raised about construction safety and accountability in the wake of the devastating incident.
Also read: Kolkata warehouse collapse: Four killed, several trapped
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