The death toll in the Kolkata warehouse collapse rose to 16 on Saturday after an injured victim died during treatment at a hospital. Rescue teams remained at the site for the fourth consecutive day, continuing a painstaking search through the debris to ensure that no one was still trapped underneath.
Officials said advanced cameras have been placed beneath the collapsed structure to detect any signs of life. Authorities are also using mobile phone tower data to trace active devices that could indicate the presence of survivors under the rubble.
"Our first priority is to complete the search and rescue operation. 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," an official stated.
Victims identified as rescue efforts continue
Among those who lost their lives were Krishna Chowdhury (30), Rohit Chowdhury (40), Rahul Chowdhury (17), Chandrama Chowdhury (60), Pappu Rajak (40), Azgar Hossain (55), Sahil Sardar (17) and Ghee Kumar (17).
Rescuers continue searching through the debris as the Kolkata warehouse collapse claims 16 lives. /ANI Officials said large-scale debris removal will begin only after rescue personnel confirm that there are no more survivors or bodies beneath the wreckage.
"A person, Khalek Sardar of Basanti, undergoing treatment at the hospital, died. With this, the toll in the incident rose to 16, with 17 others undergoing treatment”, a senior state government official told Mint.
He added that the operation was being carried out carefully to protect rescue workers while ensuring that no victim was overlooked.
Railways joins rescue, SIT probes collapse
The under-construction warehouse collapsed on Wednesday afternoon. On Friday, the Indian Railways joined the rescue mission after the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) sought assistance in cutting and removing twisted steel structures that were obstructing search operations.
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The principal contractor, one of the five people named in the FIR, was later found dead at the site.
SIT probe begins after Kolkata warehouse collapse leaves 16 dead and several injured. /ANI Meanwhile, police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse. A senior police officer had earlier said that a criminal investigation was underway and at least five people had been arrested. Investigators are also looking into whether structural safety norms and operational procedures were followed.
President Murmu expresses condolences
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed grief over the tragedy and conveyed her sympathies to the families of those who died.
"The news of the loss of lives due to the collapse of a warehouse roof in Kolkata is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured," the president mentioned in a post in Hindi on X.
