2 Dead, 7 Injured After 'Illegal' Under-Construction Building Collapses In Kolkata, CM Banerjee Says 'Rescue Ops Underway'

Following the collapse of a 5 storey-building, at least 2 people were killed and 7 were injured.

The locals, who were first to respond, said that chunks from concrete chunks fell from the building before the building collapsed.

Source : X/@SuvenduWB

Two individuals were killed and 7 others were injured after an under-construction building collapsed in Kolkata on Sunday night.  According to a PTI report, the five-storey building, located in Hazari Mollah Bagan in the Garden Reach area, collapsed around midnight.

"In a horrific accident, an under-construction five-storeyed building collapsed around midnight. Two persons were killed and at least seven people were injured," city mayor Firhad Hakim was quoted by PTI. He further informed that the injured were admitted to the hospital.

Hakim said that some more people might still be trapped under the debris. Search and rescue operations to find survivors trapped under the rubble are underway. 

On Monday morning, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the site.

#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reaches the incident site in Metiabruz, South Kolkata where a 5-storey under-construction building collapsed.

According to WB Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, 2 deaths have been reported and 13 people have been rescued. pic.twitter.com/zmkacp3cg1

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2024

At the site, she said that rescue efforts started immediately after the accident. But two individuals have died, and currently, 5-6 individuals remain trapped inside. However, efforts are underway to rescue them. Officials from medical, fire, and other departments are actively engaged in the operation.

She stated that the building was constructed illegally, and official permission from the state administration was not given to construct the structure. She added, that orders have been issued to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident, and strict action will be taken against those responsible for the construction of the building.

"Rescue work was started immediately after the accident. Two people have died, and 5-6 people are still trapped inside, they will also be rescued soon. Officials from medical, fire and other departments are deployed. The building was being constructed illegally. Official permission to construct the building was not given by the state administration. Orders have been given to investigate the accident. Strict action will be taken against those who are involved in the construction of this building. The state government will assist the families of the dead and injured. Houses of nearby people have also been damaged, the government will help those people too", the CM was quoted by ANI.

She had said that she was saddened about the building collapse incident and "stands by the distressed families of the deceased". 

"Sad to learn about the house collapse disaster of an under-construction building in the Garden Reach area of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Our Mayor, Fire Minister, Secretaries and Commissioner of Police, civic, police, fire and disaster management officers and teams (including NDRF, KMC and KP teams) have been on site throughout the night for mitigating the disaster," the West Bengal CM posted on X.

"We shall provide compensation for the next of kin of the deceased and for the injured persons. We stand by the distressed families and rescue operations shall continue," she added.

Earlier today, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose while speaking to ANI said, "A building has collapsed. 13 people have just been rescued as part of the rescue operation. More people are likely to be trapped under the debris."

#WATCH | West Bengal | 5-storey under-construction building collapse | West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose says, "A building has collapsed. 13 people have just been rescued as part of the rescue operation. More people are likely to be trapped under the… pic.twitter.com/4264f825Uv

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2024

The locals, who were the first to respond, said that chunks of concrete fell from the building before it collapsed. The collapse triggered a loud noise and a thick cloud of dust which enveloped the area. Debris also fell onto nearby shanties in the densely populated area, according to PTI.

"Although no one lived in the under-construction building, it collapsed on the adjacent shanties. We fear that many individuals might still be trapped under the rubble," said a resident.

Later, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the site to assess the rescue operation.

"An under-construction building collapsed in the Garden Reach area late on Sunday night. We have rescued a few people. The recuse operation is still going on," a police official was quoted by PTI.

In order to provide immediate medical assistance, ambulances were stationed at the site. 

In a post on X, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, "I urge @chief_west, Secretary @HomeBengal, @CPKolkata to immediately involve West Bengal State Disaster Management Team for immediate Rescue & Relief." "I am receiving frantic calls regarding probable casualties. Please dispatch any team which can help in rescuing the victims, be it Fire Servicemen, Police or any other team," he said.

A 5 storey building (illegally constructed) has collapsed at Hazari Mollah Bagan; Garden Reach; Metiabruz, KMC Ward No. 134.
This particular area falls under the so called 'citadel' of Hon’ble Mayor of Kolkata and Municipal Affairs Minister.

I urge @chief_west, Secretary… pic.twitter.com/tLvRD9QpmN

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

Hakim announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 1 lakh to injured persons.