A roof collapse at an under-construction warehouse in Taratala, Kolkata, on Wednesday, 24 June left an estimated 50 to 60 workers feared trapped under the rubble, with bystanders and colleagues reporting they could still hear screams from beneath the debris. Rescue teams from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire Brigade, and Kolkata Police were deployed on a war footing within hours of the incident.

What Happened at Taratala

According to locals, the roof of the warehouse caved in suddenly on Wednesday afternoon while workers were engaged in welding operations inside. Preliminary reports suggest that a problem during the welding work may have triggered the collapse. Some residents also noted that heavy rainfall on Tuesday could have weakened the construction material, causing it to give way without warning.

Soni Devi, a worker who also worked at the warehouse, described the moment she learned of the collapse: 'We received a call at 11 a.m. that the entire company has collapsed, please come to save us.' She added, 'I came from far away, didn't even drop my child at school. There are 13 people inside — they are screaming for help. Their mobiles have got switched off.'

Another worker at the site told reporters: 'People are still trapped. We can hear their screams from under the debris.' He noted that between 30 to 40 people typically worked at the site at any given time, with the total workforce at the warehouse numbering around 40 to 50 labourers.

Rescue Operations Under Way

Cranes and gas cutters were brought to the site to remove sections of the collapsed roof. Around 13 workers had been rescued as of Wednesday, according to officials, and the injured were rushed to SSKM Hospital for treatment. The condition of five of the rescued workers was described as critical.

Local residents were the first to respond, initiating rescue efforts before police, fire brigade, and NDRF teams arrived after being alerted to the situation.

Political Response and Official Oversight

West Bengal State Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul reached the site and was supervising rescue operations. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who had been briefed on the situation, was expected to visit the collapse site later on Wednesday.

What Comes Next

With rescue operations ongoing and the number of those still trapped unconfirmed, authorities face the challenge of working through unstable debris without causing further structural failure. The cause of the collapse — whether linked to the welding work, the previous day's rain, or structural deficiencies — is yet to be officially established. A formal investigation is expected once the rescue phase concludes.