Kolkata Building Collapse: Death Toll at 9, Rescue Efforts Continue- written by Aishee Biswas (Managing Editor, Bisjhintus News)

A tragedy unfolded in Kolkata's Garden Reach area on Sunday night as a five-story under-construction building collapsed. The incident, which authorities claim involved an illegally constructed structure, has claimed at least nine lives and left 17 injured.

 

Rescue operations are ongoing, with a glimmer of hope remaining for one person possibly trapped under the debris. Officials have warned that the death toll could rise further. The collapse triggered finger-pointing between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

 

The building, located in Azhar Mullah Bagan, crumbled in the densely populated ward 134 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), notorious for a high number of unauthorized constructions. This has raised concerns about the KMC's enforcement of building codes.

 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and ordered a swift investigation. She has also promised strict action against those responsible for the illegal construction.

 

The incident has reignited discussions about lax building regulations and the urgent need for stricter enforcement in Kolkata to prevent similar tragedies in the future.