Kolkata warehouse collapse toll reaches 11; CM blames ex-mayor for flawed plan approval

The death toll from a warehouse collapse in Kolkata has risen to 11, as authorities continue rescue operations. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has reiterated his accusations that corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led to the disaster.

Police have arrested five people, including the warehouse owner, Shambhu Nath Behera, along with the project supervisor, fabricator, labor supplier, and a broker involved in getting the project sanctioned. The under-construction, four-story warehouse collapsed in south-west Kolkata's Taratala on Wednesday afternoon.

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We have found all the records. What happened is a fallout of your sins. This building plan was sanctioned by you on January 17 this year. By taking money you have turned the City of Joy and greater Kolkata into a city of death. So many buildings collapsed and people died but you did not learn your lesson.

Adhikari stated that the building plan was sanctioned in January by the TMC-controlled Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) in exchange for money, turning "the City of Joy and greater Kolkata into a city of death." He named KMC engineers and a former mayor's personal assistant, alleging they did not discharge their duties properly. The CM announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for the deceased's families and ₹1 lakh for the injured, with the Prime Minister's Office also announcing separate compensation.

The chief minister vowed that no one would escape punishment and announced the formation of an audit committee to ensure buildings undergo audits. Firhad Hakim, the former mayor, whose personal assistant was detained for questioning, claimed he had no knowledge of the plan's sanctioning, despite his signature appearing on the clearance certificate.

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There is no chance of letting anyone go without punishment. We will not let any building come up without an audit.