Nearly two days after the roof of a warehouse collapsed in Kolkata's Taratala, rescue teams are still racing against time to find survivors buried under the debris. Heavy concrete slabs are being lifted and iron beams are being cut as personnel continue the painstaking operation.
Since Wednesday afternoon, 33 people have been rescued from the collapsed structure. However, officials fear that several workers could still be trapped beneath the rubble.
Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 15 after four more fatalities were reported.
Two more bodies recovered, two injured workers die in hospital
Two bodies were recovered from the debris on Thursday night, but their identities are yet to be confirmed.
On Friday morning, two injured workers receiving treatment at SSKM Hospital also succumbed to their injuries. They were identified as Mannu Kumar (19) and Sahil Sardar (19).
Mannu Kumar had been rescued from the debris on Wednesday and underwent surgery on Thursday night. Despite doctors' efforts, he died early Friday morning.
The 19-year-old had travelled from Munger in Bihar to work at the Taratala warehouse. His younger brother, Ghee Kumar (17), had already died in the accident, while their father remains hospitalised with injuries.
Another injured worker, Ganesh Kalindi (45), also died during treatment.
Victims identified so far
Authorities have identified the following victims:
Krishna Chowdhury (30)
Rohit Chowdhury (40)
Rahul Chowdhury (17)
Chandrama Chowdhury (60)
Pappu Rajak (40)
Asgar Hossain (55)
Sahil Sardar (19)
Ghee Kumar (17)
Hasan Imam (44)
Ganesh Kalindi (45)
Nabin Singh (44)
Mannu Kumar (19)
Swapan Mondal (53)
Two other bodies recovered from the site are yet to be identified, taking the total number of deaths to 15.
18 injured remain in hospital
According to government sources, 18 injured people are still undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital.
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Several workers employed at the warehouse continue to be reported missing. Family members believe they may still be trapped beneath the collapsed building.
To speed up the operation, railway oxygen-gas cutters were brought in on Friday to slice through thick iron beams and check for anyone trapped underneath.
NDRF deploys thermal imaging and infrared life detection equipment
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has introduced thermal imaging cameras and infrared life detector machines to strengthen the search effort.
The infrared life detector can identify human body heat beneath the debris. Once signs of life are detected, rescuers insert a compact thermal imaging camera through narrow gaps to pinpoint the exact location of the trapped person. Rescue teams then cut through the iron beams at that specific spot, allowing them to carry out the extraction more quickly and safely.
