The death toll from the warehouse roof collapse in Taratala, Kolkata, has reached 15, as confirmed by the police. Among the deceased, 13 individuals have been identified, while the identities of two males remain unknown. The latest victim, Mannu Kumar, a 19-year-old from Munger, Bihar, passed away at S.S.K.M Medical College & Hospital in South Kolkata.
All 15 casualties in the incident are male. Additionally, 18 individuals are currently receiving treatment at S.S.K.M. hospital, with 17 males and one female among the injured. Two of the injured individuals are reported to be in critical condition, according to a city police official.
A preliminary investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police has revealed that the warehouse roof collapse was caused by a combination of poor quality construction material and a flawed casting pattern. The authorities have been unable to determine the exact number of workers present during the collapse due to the absence of attendance records at the site.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari informed the West Bengal Assembly that the construction of the warehouse was sanctioned by former Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and ex-West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister, Firhad Hakim. The construction plan, approved on January 17, bore the signatures of Hakim and the relevant KMC engineers.
