kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, June 29: Portion of a residential building collapsed in Kolkata's Jorabagan area on Monday morning, triggering panic among local residents. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, despite the sudden collapse of part of the structure.

The incident took place at around 5:45 a.m. at 24, Kashi Dutta Street, located in Ward No. 20 of the Jorabagan area. According to local sources, the front portion of the second floor of the old residential building suddenly gave way and collapsed without any warning. Residents in the neighbourhood rushed out of their homes after hearing a loud crashing sound, fearing that people might have been trapped under the debris.

The house is occupied by Debashis Mitra, his brother Shubhashis Mitra, and their elderly mother, Gopa Mitra. The elderly woman is reportedly suffering from age-related health issues. Fortunately, all the occupants were safe at the time of the collapse, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.

The collapse occurred on a day without rainfall, preliminary assessments suggest that the building may have been weakened by the heavy rain that lashed the city on Sunday afternoon. Water seepage and prolonged structural deterioration are believed to have further damaged the already fragile portion of the building, ultimately leading to the collapse.

Local residents expressed concern over the condition of several ageing buildings in the area. They claimed that there are many similarly dilapidated structures across the ward that pose a serious threat to public safety. Residents urged the civic authorities to conduct immediate structural inspections and take necessary action before more such incidents occur.

The collapse, local authorities and emergency personnel reached the spot to assess the damage and ensure the safety of nearby residents. The affected portion of the building has been secured, and officials are expected to carry out a detailed structural evaluation to determine whether the remaining part of the house is safe for habitation.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over ageing and poorly maintained buildings in several parts of Kolkata. Residents have called for urgent intervention by the civic administration to identify unsafe structures and undertake repair or demolition work wherever necessary to prevent similar accidents in the future.