Tragedy struck in Kolkata as at least two lives were lost in the aftermath of a collapse of an under-construction five-story building. The incident, which occurred in the Garden Reach area around midnight on Monday, has left 13 individuals rescued thus far, with efforts ongoing to locate any additional survivors amidst the rubble.
Among the victims were two elderly women, identified as Hasina Bibi, a local resident, who was rushed to a hospital but sadly succumbed to their injuries upon arrival.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, upon visiting the site of the collapse, emphasized that the construction of the building had not received official approval from the state administration. She assured swift action, stating that investigations were underway and strict measures would be taken against those responsible for the unauthorized construction. Additionally, the Chief Minister pledged assistance to the families of the deceased and injured, as well as to those affected by damage to nearby residences.
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, present at the scene, announced compensation of Rs 5 lakhs for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each injured individual. He also declared the imminent arrest of the building's promoter.
While 13 individuals have been successfully rescued, concerns persist as authorities warn of the possibility of more individuals being trapped under the debris. The extensive search and rescue operation involves a significant deployment from the Kolkata Police, Fire Department, and West Bengal Police's Disaster Management Group, under the vigilant supervision of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and other senior officials.
Locals have voiced grievances about illegal constructions in the vicinity, with accusations leveled against the city administration for purportedly providing indirect support to such activities. Indranil Khan, state president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, alleged the illegality of the collapsed building's construction, criticizing both the Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation for their purported laxity.
Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, raised concerns and called for immediate intervention from the state's disaster management team to aid in the rescue and relief efforts, particularly in the wake of mounting reports of casualties from the incident site.
