Kolkata warehouse collapse: 18 trapped, 3 dead in Taratala godown cave-in
Synopsis
An under-construction warehouse in Kolkata's Taratala collapsed on Wednesday afternoon with up to 60 workers on-site. Three are confirmed dead, 21 rescued, and 18 remain trapped — with the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and Kolkata Police racing against time and the risk of further debris collapse to reach survivors.
Key Takeaways
An under-construction warehouse collapsed in Taratala, Kolkata on Wednesday, 24 June .
3 workers have died; 21 were rescued in the initial phase; approximately 18 remain trapped.
Survivors estimated 50–60 workers were on-site at the time of the collapse.
The Army's Eastern Command deployed four columns of rescue personnel, alongside NDRF , SDRF , and Kolkata Police .
The godown was being built by M/s Behera Brothers on land leased from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) since 1 August 2024 .
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari visited the site and confirmed the casualty figures to reporters.
At least 3 workers have died and approximately 18 others remain trapped under the rubble of a collapsed under-construction warehouse in the Taratala area of Kolkata, as multi-agency rescue operations continued through 24 June. The godown caved in on Wednesday afternoon, with survivors estimating that 50 to 60 workers were on-site at the time of the collapse.
Rescue Operation in Progress
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Kolkata Police's Disaster Management Group were among the first to respond. The Army's Eastern Command subsequently deployed four columns of personnel, including specialist engineers and medical teams, following a distress call from the civil administration.
'We are still working to bring out the people trapped under the debris. We have to proceed carefully as the debris may harm those trapped underneath,' an NDRF official said.
Contact has reportedly been established between rescue personnel and those still trapped, according to officials at the site. A total of 21 workers were pulled out in the initial phase of the operation; 3 of them died, while the remaining are undergoing medical treatment.
What the Army Said
The Army's Eastern Command posted on X that four columns had been 'swiftly launched for search and rescue operations in the Taratala neighbourhood today following the sudden collapse of an under-construction godown.' The post further stated that 'specialist engineers and medical personnel are assisting in rescue efforts' in coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, and Kolkata Police, adding that 'no effort will be spared to save them.'
Government Response
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the accident site along with several Cabinet ministers. 'All the agencies are working together. We have rescued 21 persons, of whom three have died,' he told reporters at the scene. He confirmed that contact had been established with those still trapped inside.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), which owns the land, mobilised cranes, gas cutters, ambulances, and medical teams to assist with rescue and debris-clearance operations.
Background: Who Built the Godown
The warehouse was being constructed by a private party, M/s Behera Brothers, on a plot of approximately 6,689 square metres leased from SMPK at B/2 Transport Depot Road. The lease, signed on 1 August 2024, is for a period of 30 years and was intended for a multi-storey warehouse and cold storage facility. The structural failure of an under-construction building raises immediate questions about site safety protocols and oversight at the location.
What Happens Next
Rescue teams are expected to continue operations through the night, with officials urging caution given the risk of secondary debris collapse. The scale of the operation — involving the Army, NDRF, SDRF, port authority, and police — signals the severity of the situation. Authorities have not yet indicated when the operation is expected to conclude.
Point of View
Which raises accountability questions beyond the private contractor. Under-construction collapses in India consistently follow a pattern: inadequate structural supervision, pressure to meet timelines, and workers with no safety net — literally or figuratively. Whether this incident triggers a safety audit of port-leased construction sites, or fades after the rescue phase, will be the real test of institutional accountability here.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Taratala warehouse collapse in Kolkata?
An under-construction warehouse in the Taratala area of Kolkata collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, 24 June, trapping an estimated 50 to 60 workers who were present at the site. As of the latest reports, 3 workers have died, 21 have been rescued, and approximately 18 remain trapped under heavy concrete debris.
Which agencies are conducting the rescue operation?
The rescue operation involves the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Kolkata Police's Disaster Management Group, and four columns of the Army's Eastern Command. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata has also deployed cranes, gas cutters, and medical teams to the site.
Who owns the land where the collapsed warehouse was being built?
The land belongs to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), which leased a plot of approximately 6,689 square metres to M/s Behera Brothers on 1 August 2024 for a 30-year period. The godown was being constructed as a multi-storey warehouse and cold storage facility.
Have the trapped workers been contacted by rescuers?
Yes, according to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, contact has been established between rescue personnel and those still trapped inside the debris. Rescue teams are proceeding carefully to avoid further harm to survivors under the rubble.
What did the Army's Eastern Command say about its role?
The Army's Eastern Command posted on X that four columns had been swiftly deployed following a distress call from the civil administration. It stated that specialist engineers and medical personnel are working in coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, and Kolkata Police, and that 'no effort will be spared to save' the trapped workers.
