9 killed , 17 injured in Kolkata as ‘illegal’ under-construction building collapses

The deceased include Sana Begum and Hasina Khatun, Ramjan Ali, Nasimuddin and Abdulla. The Kolkata police and disaster management groups said at least 13 were rescued from the collapsed building in Ajhar Molla Bagan.

“We have been working since late last night. Those trapped inside will be rescued,” said Vineet Goyal, Commissioner, Kolkata Police, who oversaw the rescue operations.

As rescuers reached out to them with water and oxygen, disaster management group personnel with gas cutters moved through the rubble to rescue those trapped inside. A huge contingent of police personnel have been deployed in the area, along with fire services personnel, disaster management groups, and ambulances.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who recently received a head injury, visited the spot and said the building was illegally constructed and has asked authorities to take action against those responsible.

“This is a congested area. Such areas have developed over the years. A section of promoters (builders), not all, should keep in mind that poor people live around their construction site. I have asked the mayor (Firhad Hakim), and he said the building had no legal permission. I have asked the authorities to take action against the builder,” said Banerjee.

Rescue work ongoing at the site of the building collapse in Kolkata (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

“The administration stands by the families who have lost their near ones and those who are injured. I have asked the administration to see about the (reconstruction of) houses which were damaged. Those who are still (trapped) will be rescued soon,” she said.

Mayor Firhad Hakim, who along with minister Sujit Bose oversaw the rescue operations since Sunday night, said those trapped would be rescued soon. “More bodies may be inside. We will give Rs 5 lakh to the families of those dead and Rs 1 lakh to those who were injured. Thirteen people were rescued. Those injured have been admitted to a local hospital,” said Hakim.

“It was an illegal building. I have asked the police to take action against the builders,” added Hakim.

According to residents, concrete chunks started falling off the under-construction building after midnight, and later the entire structure collapsed, with parts of it falling on neighbouring residences in the densely populated area. The building collapsed on at least seven houses around the site, where residents had been sleeping.

Rescue work ongoing at the site of the building collapse in Kolkata (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

They said the building had been under construction for the last six months. They also alleged that the building lacked proper permission from Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the police.

In a post on X late Sunday, Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA and leader of the Opposition, wrote: “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 @HomeBengal, @CPKolkata to immediately involve the West Bengal State Disaster Management Team for immediate Rescue & Relief.”

Indranil Khan, the state BJP youth wing president, said on X, “The catastrophic collapse of an unauthorised illegal building at Azhar Molla Bagan in KMC Ward No 134, Garden Reach area, crushing and trapping several people including children underneath, is a fatal consequence of the corrupt civic system in Kolkata running in tandem with TMC-backed syndicate mafia. While we appeal for immediate and adequate measures from the state administration Police, Fire Brigade, Disaster Management teams for rescue of the trapped and optimum treatment of the injured.”

Governor visits victims’ family members

Governor C V Ananda Bose visited the spot and took stock of the situation at the rescue site on Monday. He also visited the family members of the injured persons at a local hospital. Bose said he would appeal to the Chief Minister to form a task force to check the rampant illegal constructions in the area.

“The supervising authority did not perform its duties properly. Accidents are not always accidental, it is also human failure. The government can stop this illegal construction if it wants,” he said.

Bose said he would hold a meeting with experts over the issue. “A meeting with construction experts will be held at Raj Bhavan soon. Consultations will be taken from several organisations including IIT Kharagpur, HIDCO, Central Building Research Institute and experts from CREDAI. The recommendations of the meeting will be given to the government for necessary action,” he said.

“I am grateful that my constitutional colleague CM of the state did visit the spot and assured financial help. I too have decided to extend financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to the next of kin of the deceased,” Bose added.