Demonstrating its rapid response capability in aid to civil authorities, the Indian Army has deployed four columns comprising specialist engineering teams, medical personnel, and rescue equipment to support ongoing search-and-rescue operations following the collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Kolkata’s Taratala area today.
The deployment was undertaken immediately after a request for assistance was received from the civil administration. Army rescue teams from Eastern Command were mobilised to the site, where more than 30 workers are feared trapped beneath massive concrete debris after the roof of the three-storey structure gave way during construction activities.
Working in close coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Kolkata Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and district authorities, Army personnel have joined efforts to locate and extricate survivors from the unstable collapse zone.
Defence sources stated that the deployed contingent includes combat engineers trained in structural rescue operations, supported by medical teams, ambulances, and emergency treatment facilities. Specialist equipment, including cutting tools and engineering assets, is being employed to access confined spaces and remove debris while minimising risks to trapped victims and rescue personnel.
Several workers have already been rescued and shifted to nearby medical facilities, while intensive operations continue amid concerns that many more remain buried under the rubble. Local residents were among the first responders and initiated rescue efforts before emergency agencies reached the scene.
Senior Army officers are supervising operations on the ground and coordinating closely with civil authorities to ensure seamless integration of military and civilian resources. Medical teams have established casualty management arrangements near the site to facilitate immediate treatment and evacuation of rescued individuals.
The operation highlights the Indian Army’s crucial role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, where specialised engineering expertise, disciplined manpower, and rapid mobilisation capabilities significantly enhance the overall rescue effort.
As darkness approaches and operations enter a critical phase, rescue teams continue to work against time in a challenging environment marked by unstable debris and restricted access. Eastern Command has expressed its concern for those trapped and reaffirmed its commitment to employing all available resources in support of the life-saving mission.
The rescue operation remains underway, with Army columns maintaining full operational readiness until all affected individuals are accounted for and the site is declared safe by authorities.
