Woman, 61, dies as 200-yr-old Kolkata building portion collapses; 18 rescued
Teams from West Bengal fire services department, state disaster management department and the National Disaster Response Force rushed to the scene
On Tuesday morning, a 61-year-old woman named Urmila Sau lost her life when a section of an over 200-year-old building in Jorabagan, north Kolkata, collapsed. At least 18 others were rescued, and there were no injuries reported. The incident occurred around 5:30 am, following heavy rains in the city. Locals reported hearing a loud noise before the building fell, prompting them to rush outside and see the debris burying the woman.
She was taken to Calcutta Medical College, where doctors declared her dead. The building was deemed dangerous and dilapidated by authorities, who had previously notified the owners to take necessary steps for renovation. The owners were reportedly planning to hand over the property to a realtor. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and teams from the West Bengal fire services department and state disaster management department responded to the scene within 20 minutes, successfully evacuating all trapped individuals without any injuries.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) confirmed the building's age and previously declared it dangerous and dilapidated. The KMC has issued fresh notices to residents of dilapidated and dangerous buildings, urging them to evacuate in anticipation of heavy rains. Another building collapse occurred at Posta in central Kolkata, but no fatalities were reported.
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