Under-construction buildings in Kolkata collapse: 10 rescued on the way | Top developments

Abhijit Pandey, director of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services, said the under-construction building collapsed in the wee hours of Monday.

Calcutta: More than ten people were rescued in Kolkata late on Sunday evening after an under-construction building collapsed. According to the latest updates, the five-storey building collapsed in Hazari Mollah Bagan in the Garden Reach area in the early hours of Monday. The search is on for survivors trapped under the rubble.

West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Director Abhijit Pandey said the under-construction building collapsed in the wee hours of Monday.

“A five-storey building (illegally constructed) collapsed at Hazari Mollah Bagan; Garden range; Metiabruz, KMC Ward No. 134,” West Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari posted from his X handle, adding that the particular area falls under Calcutta Mayor Firhad Hakim’s ‘citadel’.

Urging the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Kolkata Police Commissioner to involve the West Bengal State Disaster Management Team in the ongoing rescue and relief operation, Adhikari said: “I am receiving panicked calls about possible casualties. Please send any team that can help rescue the victims, be it firefighters, police or any other team.”

In the meantime, Calcutta Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the spot and took stock of the rescue operation.

“Late on Sunday evening, a building under construction in the Garden Reach area collapsed. We saved a few people. The disengagement operation is still ongoing,” a police official said.

In a post on salvation and help.” “I get panicky phone calls about possible victims. Please send any team that can help in rescuing the victims, be it firefighters, police or any other team,” he said.

A five-storey building (illegally constructed) collapsed at Hazari Mollah Bagan; Garden range; Metiabruz, KMC Department No. 134.
This particular area falls under the so-called ‘citadel’ of the Honorable Mayor of Kolkata and the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

I insist @chef_westSecretary… pic.twitter.com/tLvRD9QpmN

— Suvendu Adhikari (Modi Ka Parivar) (@SuvenduWB) March 17, 2024

According to locals who were the first responders, chunks of concrete fell from the building before it collapsed. There was a loud noise and a thick cloud of dust engulfed the area as the building collapsed. The debris fell on nearby slums in the densely populated area, they said.

“Although no one lived in the under-construction building, it collapsed onto the adjacent slums. We fear that many people are still trapped under the rubble,” said a local resident.