Eight killed as underconstruction building collapses in south Kolkata
Eight persons were killed and several injured after a fivestorey underconstruction building collapsed in Kolkata’s Garden Reach area late on Sunday night.
The incident occurred around 11.49 p.m. The underconstruction building came crashing down on nearby shanties. Those who died were residents of these shanties.
Two women — Shama Begam, 45, and Hasina Khatoon, 60, — were declared dead at a private health facility at Metiabruz on Sunday.
Akbar Ali, 34, Rizwan Alam, 23, Mohammad Wasik, 19, Mohammad Imran, 27, Ramzan Ali, 55, and Nasimuddin, 24, were declared dead at the Staterun SSKM Hospital on
Monday. Rescue workers were busy working through the rubble to free those trapped underneath all through the night. While 18 persons sustained injuries, five of them were discharged and 13 are undergoing treatment at the SSKM Hospital and a private health facility in Metiabruz.
Located in the southwestern part of the city, Garden Reach is a densely populated area where highrises have sprung up without any planning.
Mamata visits spot
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday morning reached the accident site and took stock of rescue efforts. She also met the injured at a nearby health facility.
Speaking to journalists, she raised concerns about whether permission was taken for such construction. “I asked the Mayor whether permission was taken for the building. He said no,” Ms. Banerjee said.
“We shall provide compensation for the next of kin of the deceased and for the injured persons. We stand by the distressed families and rescue operations shall continue,” she posted on social media.
The State Government announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the next of kin of each of the deceased and ₹1 lakh to the injured. After the collapse, local people alleged that the building was constructed illegally after filling up a waterbody.