Kolkata warehouse collapse: Death toll rises to 5, 12-15 still trapped in Taratala
Synopsis
A single structural failure — a roof with no internal walls — brought down an entire 20,000-sq-ft warehouse in Kolkata's Taratala, killing five and trapping over a dozen workers. The Chief Minister has named the owners, cited a faulty building plan sanctioned just months ago, and halted all commercial construction in the KMC zone. The race to reach survivors still trapped alive is ongoing.
Key Takeaways
A warehouse roof collapsed in Taratala, Kolkata on 24 June at 12.07 pm , trapping 40 to 50 workers .
The death toll has risen to five ; 20 injured are hospitalised, two in critical condition.
Police and fire brigade officials say 12 to 15 people remain trapped; officials confirm contact has been established with survivors.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari cited a faulty building plan sanctioned on 17 January and named owners Behera Brothers for action.
All commercial construction in the KMC zone has been suspended until 31 July ; work may resume from 1 August after audits.
Indian Army , NDRF , Civil Defence , Kolkata Police , and Fire Brigade are conducting rescue operations with a 50-tonne hydraulic crane and sniffer dogs.
A roof collapse at an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata's Taratala area on Wednesday, 24 June has killed five workers, with 12 to 15 people still believed to be trapped beneath the debris, according to police and fire brigade officials. Around 40 to 50 workers were inside the 20,000-square-foot structure when the roof gave way at 12.07 pm, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving multiple agencies.
Scale of the Collapse
The warehouse, which had no internal walls or partitions, saw its entire roof section collapse in one go — a factor that significantly worsened the impact. Several iron beams buckled under the additional load. Local residents were the first to respond, initiating rescue efforts before police, fire brigade, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams reached the site. A hydraulic crane capable of lifting up to 50 tonnes has been deployed to stabilise the structure and prevent secondary collapse, while gas cutters are being used to clear debris. Sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service to locate survivors.
Rescue Operations in Full Swing
Personnel from the Civil Defence, Indian Army, NDRF, Fire Brigade, Kolkata Police, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) are conducting rescue operations on a war footing. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the site earlier in the day alongside several ministers and government officials to supervise the operation, and later visited injured workers at SSKM Hospital in the evening.
Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, Adhikari said: 'About 25 people were rescued from the warehouse. Five have died. The 20 injured have been admitted to the hospital. The condition of two is critical. All the injured are receiving treatment here. Some workers are still trapped. They are alive and we have established contact with them. The rescue operation is going on in full swing. Hopefully, they will be brought out soon.'
Faulty Building Plan Cited, Owners Identified
Chief Minister Adhikari stated that the collapse was caused by a faulty building plan. KMC engineers who assessed the site indicated the plan was structurally deficient, and a detailed technical report was expected later in the day. The building plan had been sanctioned on 17 January this year.
Adhikari named the owners as Behera Brothers and confirmed that action would be taken against them. State Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul also visited the site to oversee rescue efforts. Preliminary information suggests a problem during welding work inside the structure may have contributed to the collapse, though this is yet to be officially confirmed.
Construction Work Suspended Across KMC Zone
In the wake of the tragedy, Chief Minister Adhikari announced an immediate suspension of all construction work at under-construction commercial properties within the KMC area until 31 July. A comprehensive audit of building plans, site plans, and on-site inspections will be carried out during this period. Properties whose documentation is found to be in order will be permitted to resume work from 1 August.
This incident underscores persistent concerns about construction safety oversight in urban West Bengal. Rescue teams continue to work through the night to reach those still trapped, with officials maintaining they have established contact with survivors beneath the rubble.
Point of View
Not just how they are executed. The Chief Minister's decision to suspend all commercial construction until 31 July is a decisive short-term move, but the harder question is whether the audit that follows will produce enforceable reform or merely paperwork. With workers still trapped and the death toll potentially rising, the political response must eventually translate into systemic change — not just action against one set of owners.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kolkata Taratala warehouse collapse?
The roof of an under-construction warehouse in Taratala, Kolkata collapsed on 24 June at 12.07 pm, trapping an estimated 40 to 50 workers inside. The structure, covering around 20,000 square feet with no internal walls, saw its entire roof give way at once, causing multiple casualties.
How many people have died and how many are still trapped?
Five workers have died as of the latest update, with 20 others hospitalised — two in critical condition. Police and fire brigade officials say 12 to 15 people remain trapped under the debris, though authorities have confirmed they are alive and contact has been established.
Who is responsible for the Taratala warehouse collapse?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari identified the owners as Behera Brothers and stated that action would be taken against them. He also said KMC engineers found the building plan — sanctioned on 17 January this year — to be faulty, and a detailed technical report was expected.
What action has the West Bengal government taken after the collapse?
Chief Minister Adhikari ordered the suspension of all construction work at under-construction commercial properties within the KMC area until 31 July. A full audit of building plans, site plans, and on-site conditions will be conducted; compliant projects may resume from 1 August.
Which agencies are involved in the rescue operation?
The rescue operation involves the Indian Army, NDRF, Civil Defence, Kolkata Police, Fire Brigade, and KMC personnel. A 50-tonne hydraulic crane, gas cutters, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to stabilise the structure and locate survivors still under the rubble.
