Relief For Some, Tragedy Continues For Others As Anxious Relatives Wait For Info On Trapped Workers
Times of India | 25 June 2026
Kolkata: “Father said he was alive and then his phone got switched off,” said the daughter of missing labourer Azgar Hossain before breaking down in tears at the Taratala warehouse collapse site. She was seen moving helplessly from one place to another, pleading with officials to find her father. She was among several relatives of workers who spent anxious hours at the accident spot and hospitals, waiting for information.
Azgar Hossain was the supervisor of the construction firm engaged in work on the warehouse. His daughter said she spoke to him around noon, shortly before the collapse. “I spoke to dad on the phone about half an hour before the incident. He was inside when it collapsed. Learning of the incident, I called him again and he struggled to tell me that he was alive. After that, his phone got switched off. I don’t know if he is safe,” she said, before being escorted away from the spot by police. Behala resident Diparna Majumdar reached the site in search of her brother Biswajit Das, who was working there. “My brother spoke to my aunt. She alerted me about the incident and I rushed to the spot. Initially, I requested cops to allow me to enter but I had to stand outside. Around 5 pm, I entered the site where the rescue operation is going on. I don’t know whether my brother is alive or not,” Majumdar said, crying. Family members of several workers gathered outside the premises seeking information. Soni Devi said her aunt, Parmisal Das, was working at the site for around five months as a labourer. “Her work involved mixing cement, sand and stonechips. Like other days she reported to duty on time, but we are yet to get any information about her,” Soni said.
According to the family, Parmisal lived near Brace Bridge railway station and worked at the site along with another woman.
Her relatives said they had not received clear information about her condition or whereabouts as officials continued inquiries into the incident.
At SSKM Hospital’s trauma care unit, the scene changed from 2 pm as ambulances began arriving one after another. Doctors, nurses and support staff stood ready outside the main gate, while the area was cordoned off to ensure smooth movement of ambulances carrying injured workers.
Many of the injured had fractures or internal injuries and were rushed, where critical patients were admitted and specialist doctors were kept on standby.
Several injured labourers arrived covered in dust, with their faces, hands and legs coated in debris. Some were soaked in blood.
Suchita Chowdhury, wife of Krishna Chowdhury, waited outside the trauma care unit with other family members, unaware of his condition. Rohit Kewar, another family member, said, “We are completely clueless about his condition.” Soon after, the family received the news they feared, as Krishna’s name appeared on the list of the deceased.