Two arrested, FIR registered in Taratala warehouse accident

Kolkata police on Thursday (June 25, 2026) arrested two persons, including the structural engineer of the warehouse in Taratala that collapsed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, killing five workers.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kunal Agrawal said, “Around 12:05 pm, a wear house under construction on Transport Depot Road in Taratala collapsed and hence very few workers were trapped under the rubble, five workers were declared dead at the hospital. The rescue operation was carried out by Kolkata Police DMG, KMC personnel, Fire Brigade personnel, civil defense and NDRF. Such an operation is still ongoing.”

“After a preliminary investigation, an FIR was lodged at Taratala police station under sections 105/110/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The FIR named six persons, including civil engineer Kamal Samanta and another Syed MD Gulzar, who were arrested,” he added.

After the matter was handed over to the Detective Department of the Kolkata police, a special investigation team (SIT) was also constituted to investigate the matter.

Mr. Agrawal said the SIT will be headed by the DC of Detective Department of Kolkata Police Commissionerate and will consist of six other members. Five workers died and many others were injured when an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Kolkata’s Taratala area on Wednesday.

It is feared that at least 18 workers will be trapped under the collapsed structure. The accident occurred when the multi-storey warehouse, built by a private operator on 6,689 square meters of land leased by the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA), collapsed shortly after noon.

According to those at the scene, 50 to 60 people were at work when the accident occurred. Local people said they heard cries for help from many workers trapped under the rubble. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari called for a halt to all construction activities in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation until the inspection is completed on July 31.

An attempt was made to reach the trapped workers by opening a hole through the debris, and oxygen and food were provided. The Indian Army participated in the rescue operation by mobilizing four columns from the Eastern Command.