Kolkata warehouse roof collapse kills 5, three detained in Taratala
Synopsis
A roof collapse at an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata's Taratala killed five workers and trapped others beneath rubble — and the design had been approved by the KMC's previous TMC-controlled board just months ago. With the Army and NDRF on site and three persons detained, the disaster is fast becoming a test of both civic oversight and political accountability.
Key Takeaways
A warehouse roof collapse in Taratala, Kolkata on 24 June killed five persons and injured at least 20 .
Kolkata Police detained three persons: supervisor Muhammad Gulzar and labour contractors Muhammad Atayul and Subhas Chowdhury .
The condition of two of the hospitalised patients is critical, according to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari .
The Indian Army , NDRF , Kolkata Police, and the West Bengal Fire Department are all engaged in rescue operations.
The warehouse design was approved by the previous TMC -controlled KMC board on 17 January this year; initial assessments indicate possible construction design flaws.
Kolkata Police detained three persons for questioning on Wednesday night, 24 June following a fatal under-construction warehouse roof collapse in the Taratala area on the southern outskirts of Kolkata, which claimed five lives and left several others critically injured. Rescue operations were still underway at the time of reporting, with fears that additional workers remained trapped beneath concrete slabs and iron beams.
Who Was Detained
Of the three persons taken in for questioning, one is Muhammad Gulzar, the supervisor of the under-construction warehouse. The other two are Muhammad Atayul and Subhas Chowdhury, both labour contractors who reportedly supplied contractual workers for the construction project. Police sources confirmed the detentions but said questioning was still ongoing.
Rescue Operations on the Ground
A team from the Indian Army joined the rescue effort at Taratala during the afternoon following a formal request from the state government. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kolkata Police, and the West Bengal Fire Department are all engaged in the ongoing operations. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether all trapped workers have been accounted for, and there are apprehensions that some may still be buried under the debris.
Chief Minister's Response
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and personally enquired about the condition of the injured. He confirmed the deaths of five persons and stated that 20 injured individuals were undergoing treatment at the facility, with the condition of two described as critical.
'Doctors are trying their best to bring them out of danger. The state government's priority now is to rescue all the trapped workers from under the collapsed warehouse roof as early as possible,' CM Adhikari said.
Design Flaws and Civic Accountability
Initial assessments suggest there were flaws in the construction design of the warehouse. Notably, the design had been approved by the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC)-controlled board of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on 17 January this year — a detail that is likely to intensify political scrutiny. Critics argue that the approval process may not have adequately vetted structural safety standards. This incident raises broader questions about oversight of under-construction commercial projects in the city.
What Happens Next
Rescue operations are expected to continue through the night, with authorities racing against time to locate any remaining trapped workers. A formal investigation into the structural failure and the role of supervisors and contractors is anticipated. The KMC's approval process for the warehouse design is also likely to come under judicial or administrative review given the scale of the tragedy.
Point of View
Under the previous TMC-controlled board, will face hard scrutiny: what safety checks were applied, and who signed off. India's urban construction sector has a persistent problem with contractual labour operating outside formal safety frameworks, and this incident fits that pattern. The detention of a supervisor and two labour contractors is a starting point, but the accountability chain must extend to the approving authority. If design flaws are confirmed, the question is not just criminal — it is systemic.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Taratala warehouse collapse in Kolkata?
An under-construction warehouse roof collapsed in the Taratala area on the southern outskirts of Kolkata on 24 June, killing five workers and injuring at least 20 others. Several workers were feared still trapped under concrete slabs and iron beams at the time of reporting.
Who has been detained in connection with the Kolkata warehouse collapse?
Kolkata Police detained three persons for questioning: Muhammad Gulzar, the warehouse supervisor, and labour contractors Muhammad Atayul and Subhas Chowdhury, who reportedly supplied workers for the construction project.
Which agencies are involved in the rescue operation at Taratala?
The Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Kolkata Police, and the West Bengal Fire Department are all engaged in rescue operations at the collapsed warehouse site.
What did Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari say about the incident?
CM Adhikari visited S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital, confirmed five deaths and 20 hospitalised, and said two patients are in critical condition. He stated the government's immediate priority is rescuing all trapped workers.
Was the warehouse construction legally approved?
Yes, the design of the under-construction warehouse was approved by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on 17 January this year, when the board was controlled by the Trinamool Congress. Initial assessments reportedly indicate flaws in the construction design.
