Kolkata, June 25: At least five people were killed and several others injured after an under-construction warehouse collapsed in Kolkata's Taratala area on Wednesday afternoon, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving multiple agencies, including the Army, NDRF, SDRF and Kolkata Police.

Officials said dozens of workers were present at the construction site when the structure suddenly gave way, trapping many beneath tonnes of concrete and steel debris. Rescue teams have been working round the clock to locate and extricate those trapped under the collapsed building.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the accident site along with senior Cabinet ministers to assess the situation and oversee rescue efforts. Addressing reporters, he said all emergency response agencies were coordinating closely in the rescue mission.

“Twenty-one persons have been rescued so far, while five deaths have been confirmed. Several others remain trapped, and rescue personnel have established contact with some of them,” the Chief Minister said.

According to local residents, between 50 and 60 workers were engaged at the construction site when the warehouse collapsed. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, and authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident.

Rescue operations have intensified with teams cutting through twisted iron beams and reinforced concrete slabs to reach those trapped beneath the rubble. The challenging nature of the debris has slowed progress, but officials said every effort is being made to save lives.

In response to the emergency, four columns of the Indian Army's Eastern Command were deployed to assist civil authorities. Specialised Army rescue personnel, engineers and medical teams have joined the operation, working alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Kolkata Police.

The Army said its teams were mobilised immediately after receiving a distress call from the civil administration and are using specialised equipment to search for survivors under the heavy debris.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Disaster Management Department has established dedicated control rooms for families seeking information about those affected by the tragedy. Authorities have urged concerned citizens to contact the helpline numbers 8697981070, 033-22143526, and 033-22535185 for updates.

The incident has sparked concerns over construction safety standards, with officials expected to examine whether any structural lapses, negligence, or violations of building regulations contributed to the collapse.

As rescue efforts continue, anxious families remain gathered near the site, hoping for the safe recovery of those still trapped beneath the wreckage. Authorities have assured that the operation will continue until every missing worker is accounted for.