Kolkata Warehouse Collapse Death Toll Rises To 15; SIT Finds Lapses

The number of people killed in the collapse of an under-construction warehouse roof in Kolkata’s Taratala area has increased to 15 after a 19-year-old worker died in hospital.

Mannu Kumar, who hailed from Bihar’s Munger district, had been undergoing treatment at SSKM Medical College and Hospital since rescue teams pulled him from the wreckage.

Kolkata Police said they have identified 13 of the victims, while two deceased men remain unidentified. Every person who died in the incident was male.

A total of 18 injured workers are still receiving treatment at SSKM Hospital. The group includes 17 men and one woman.

According to police officials, doctors have classified the condition of two patients as critical.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by Kolkata Police has found preliminary evidence suggesting that inferior construction materials and an improper concrete casting process may have led to the roof collapse.

Investigators are continuing to examine whether these shortcomings directly caused the structure to fail.

The inquiry has also revealed that the site management did not maintain attendance records for workers.

Without an official register, authorities have been unable to confirm how many labourers were inside the warehouse when the accident occurred or whether anyone else remains unaccounted for.

The incident has triggered fresh questions over the project’s approval process.

Addressing the West Bengal Assembly, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the warehouse construction plan received official approval on 17 January and bore the signatures of former Kolkata Mayor and former Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, along with the concerned engineers of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Investigators are continuing to examine all aspects of the case as authorities work to establish accountability for the deadly collapse.

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