In a tragic incident at the Taratala warehouse construction site in Kolkata, three members of a family from Munger managed to escape while three others lost their lives when the structure collapsed.

On June 24, 2026, shortly after the under-construction warehouse fell down, 22-year-old Manikchand Kumar found himself trapped beneath the rubble. Realizing the severity of his situation, he recorded a 32-second video on his phone, desperately calling for help and praying to Lord Hanuman for a way out. He also managed to contact his relatives in Bihar to inform them about his entrapment.

“After much effort, I was able to reach the top tier. I asked two people who were trying to cut through the debris to pull me out,” Mr. Kumar shared with reporters after his discharge from SSKM Hospital on June 27, 2026. Hailing from Mirjachak Lagma village in Munger district, he recounted the suddenness of the disaster, expressing his disbelief about the events.

Family’s Harrowing Experience

Rajendra Ram, 55, Mr. Kumar’s father, was also rescued and released from SSKM Hospital on the same day. Overcome with emotion, he wept while discussing the tragic incident. Additionally, Mr. Kumar’s brother, Soheed Kumar, aged 26, was rescued from the wreckage.

Despite their miraculous survival, the family left the site heavy-hearted, as they were returning to their village with three bodies. “Six of us had come to work at the site, and we are carrying three bodies home,” Mr. Kumar lamented.

Among the deceased were Ghee Kumar, 19, Mannu Kumar, 19, and Surchan Kumar (age unknown), all family members who had come to earn a livelihood at the construction site. This calamity underscores the stark reality faced by many who risk their lives seeking better opportunities.

Search and Rescue Operations

Reports indicate that Swapan Mondal from Shyamnagar, North 24 Parganas, was the sole breadwinner for his family. Following the tragedy, his family has demanded that the State government provide job opportunities for at least one family member of the deceased. A total of 33 workers were rescued from the collapse, including 32 men and one woman, while 16 men tragically lost their lives, with at least two of them being minors. Workers involved in the incident hailed from various states, including West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Local sources claim that more than 40 workers were present at the site during the time of the accident. However, police records do not confirm the number of workers on-site at the time of the disaster. The rescue operations, involving multiple agencies such as the NDRF, Indian Army, and Kolkata Police, were nearing completion as of Saturday evening.

Government Response and Legal Actions

The Suvendu Adhikari-led government announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased. The building collapse occurred at approximately 12:07 a.m. on June 24, 2026, when the warehouse’s roof caved in, leading to multiple workers being trapped beneath the debris. The land had been leased to a private operator by Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority for the construction.

In connection with the incident, six individuals have been arrested, including the land lessee, a structural engineer, and a former officer-on-special duty associated with former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim. On June 27, Bharatiya Janata Mazdoor Cell (BJMC) filed a police complaint requesting an FIR against Firhad Hakim and former KMC councillors Anwar Khan and Shams Iqbal, citing their involvement in permitting illegal constructions that may have led to this and other recent building collapses in the city.