Kolkata warehouse roof collapse: 3 dead, 18 trapped in Taratala
Synopsis
A single roof collapse at a faulty-plan warehouse in south Kolkata's Taratala has killed three workers, left up to 18 trapped alive, and triggered a citywide construction shutdown until 31 July. The building's owners, Behera Brothers, face action — and the incident has put KMC's approval process under direct scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
A warehouse roof collapsed in Taratala, south Kolkata at 12:07 pm on 24 June , trapping an estimated 40 to 50 workers .
Three workers were killed, including Rohit Chowdhury and Krishna Chowdhury ; 15 to 18 remained trapped alive as of the latest update.
21 workers were recovered and 12 were receiving treatment at SSKM Hospital .
CM Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the building plan was faulty; action is to be taken against owners Behera Brothers .
All under-construction commercial work in the KMC area has been suspended until 31 July , with audits and on-site inspections ordered.
Indian Army , NDRF , Fire Brigade , Civil Defence , and Kolkata Police are conducting rescue operations using a 50-tonne hydraulic crane and gas cutters.
A roof collapse at an under-construction warehouse in the Taratala area of south Kolkata on Wednesday, 24 June killed three workers, left 15 to 18 others trapped alive under debris, and prompted a large-scale rescue operation involving the Indian Army, NDRF, Kolkata Police, and the Fire Brigade. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the toll after visiting the site, saying 21 workers had been recovered and 12 were undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital.
How the Collapse Unfolded
The roof gave way at 12:07 pm, trapping an estimated 40 to 50 workers who were inside the structure at the time. According to locals, the incident occurred while welding work was under way inside the warehouse. Because the building had no internal walls or separate rooms, the entire roof section came down at once, bending iron beams under the combined weight.
Residents in the vicinity launched initial rescue efforts before emergency services arrived. A hydraulic crane capable of lifting up to 50 tonnes was subsequently deployed to stabilise the collapsed structure and prevent further cave-ins. Police also brought in sniffer dogs to help locate remaining trapped workers. The warehouse is reported to have covered approximately 20,000 square feet.
Rescue Operations on a War Footing
Chief Minister Adhikari, accompanied by several ministers and senior government officials, visited the accident site to oversee the rescue effort before addressing the media at the state secretariat Nabanna. He credited the Civil Defence, Fire Department, and Kolkata Police with saving many lives through their initial response, and acknowledged the continuing efforts of NDRF and Indian Army personnel.
Adhikari confirmed that the 15 to 18 workers still trapped were alive and in contact with rescuers. Water and oxygen had been supplied to them through the debris, and work was continuing on a war footing to extract them. State Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul also reached the site and supervised operations. Gas cutters and hydraulic cranes were deployed to remove sections of the collapsed roof.
Faulty Building Plan and Action Against Owners
Adhikari stated that the building plan for the warehouse was faulty. The plan had been sanctioned on 17 January this year, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) engineers confirmed initial findings of structural irregularities, with a detailed report expected later in the day. The owners, identified as Behera Brothers, face action, according to the Chief Minister.
Two of the three deceased workers have been identified as Rohit Chowdhury and Krishna Chowdhury. Adhikari said he would visit SSKM Hospital to meet the injured.
KMC Construction Work Suspended Until July 31
In the wake of the incident, Chief Minister Adhikari announced the suspension of all work at under-construction commercial properties in the KMC area until 31 July. The KMC has been directed to conduct audits of building plans and site plans, along with on-the-spot inspections. Properties found to have proper documentation in order will be permitted to resume work from 1 August.
This is the latest in a series of construction-related accidents in West Bengal, raising fresh questions about structural oversight and enforcement of building norms in the state. The government's decision to halt all commercial construction citywide signals the scale of concern over regulatory compliance.
Point of View
Scrutiny after a disaster — is a systemic pattern in Indian urban construction governance. The blanket suspension of KMC commercial construction until 31 July is a visible response, but it does not address how a structurally deficient plan cleared the approval stage in the first place. Without accountability at the sanction level, not just the ownership level, such collapses will repeat.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Taratala warehouse in Kolkata on 24 June?
The roof of an under-construction warehouse in the Taratala area of south Kolkata collapsed at 12:07 pm on 24 June, trapping an estimated 40 to 50 workers inside. Three workers were killed, 15 to 18 remained trapped alive under debris, and 21 were recovered. Rescue operations involving the Indian Army, NDRF, Fire Brigade, and Kolkata Police are ongoing.
Who are the owners of the collapsed warehouse?
The warehouse is owned by Behera Brothers, according to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He confirmed that action would be taken against the owners, citing a faulty building plan that had been sanctioned by the KMC on 17 January this year.
What is the condition of the workers still trapped?
As of the latest update, 15 to 18 workers remained trapped under the debris but were alive and in contact with rescue teams. Water and oxygen had been supplied to them through the rubble, and efforts to extract them were continuing on a war footing.
What action has the West Bengal government taken after the collapse?
Chief Minister Adhikari ordered the suspension of all work at under-construction commercial properties in the KMC area until 31 July. The KMC has been directed to audit building and site plans and conduct on-the-spot inspections. Properties with proper documentation may resume work from 1 August.
Which hospitals are treating the injured workers?
Twelve injured workers were undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata as of the Chief Minister's statement. Adhikari also said he would visit the hospital to meet the injured.
