The death toll from the collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata has reached 16, following the death of an injured person in a hospital on Saturday. Rescue operations are continuing into their fourth day, with authorities prioritizing the search for any remaining trapped individuals before beginning large-scale debris removal.
Current Status of the Rescue Operation
According to state government officials, the death toll rose to 16 after a resident of Basanti named Khalek Sardar died while receiving medical treatment. As of Saturday, 17 other survivors remained hospitalized.
Rescue teams are operating with extreme caution to avoid any risk to rescuers and to ensure that no victim was missed. "Our first priority is to complete the search and rescue operation," an official stated. "Teams are carefully checking every part of the collapsed structure. Massive debris clearance will start only after we are fully satisfied that no one is trapped inside."
How Search Teams Are Locating Survivors
Rescue personnel are utilizing specialized technology to identify potential survivors beneath the rubble. Teams have deployed cameras into the debris to visually inspect voids and are using mobile phone tower data to track the locations of individuals whose devices remain active under the collapsed building.
The Indian Railways assisted the NDRF on Friday, providing assistance in cutting and removing twisted steel structures to facilitate the search for those feared trapped under the debris.
Investigation into the Collapse
The warehouse, which was being constructed, collapsed on Wednesday afternoon. The body of the principal contractor was among those recovered from the site.
Police have established a Special Investigation Team to probe how the structure collapsed. The contractor was one of five individuals named in the FIR registered in the case.
Government Relief Measures
Prime Minister Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased victim. The state government is managing the ongoing medical care for the 17 survivors currently in treatment.
Key Details of the Incident
- Location: Kolkata.
- Collapse Date: Wednesday.
- Current Death Toll: 16.
- Injured: 17 currently under medical care.
- Investigation: A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe how the structure collapsed.
The site remains cordoned off as authorities continue to balance the need for a thorough search with the structural instability of the site. Officials have indicated that formal debris clearance will only commence once the search phase is officially declared complete.