Kolkata Warehouse Fire Death Toll Climbs to 8, Bodies Charred Beyond Recognition
Death toll from Kolkata warehouse fire rises to 8, with charred bodies needing DNA identification.
The death toll in the massive warehouse fire near Kolkata’s Anandapur area rose to eight on Tuesday, with many victims charred beyond recognition, necessitating DNA testing to confirm identities. The blaze, which began late Monday night, has left families anxiously awaiting news of missing relatives while authorities continue rescue and investigation operations.
State Minister Arup Biswas and Trinamool MP Saayoni Ghosh inspected the site on Monday afternoon. Biswas said firefighters are still working to extinguish lingering pockets of fire and that a forensic team will assess the warehouse’s fire safety systems. He confirmed that rescue operations for any potentially trapped workers will resume once it is fully safe.
BJP MLA Ashok Dinda noted that several workers of a decorating company were reportedly living in temporary rooms inside the warehouse. “Four workers escaped just before the fire started, but many others were likely trapped inside as the main gate was locked,” he said, highlighting serious safety lapses. Sonarpur North MLA Firdausi Begum also visited the site to monitor ongoing rescue efforts.
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Relatives of the deceased and missing gathered at the scene, seeking updates on loved ones. Tanmoy Giri, whose uncle worked in the warehouse, said, “He last called me around 1 am. Now his phone is switched off, and we have been waiting here since morning.” Missing complaints have been filed for 20 individuals, mainly from Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, and South 24 Parganas.
The tragedy has sparked political criticism. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the state government of negligence and insensitivity, alleging ministers and senior officials were on holiday during the incident. Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose, however, defended the administration, stating teams are working tirelessly to contain the fire and ensure rescue operations continue safely.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and the extent of structural damage, while DNA samples are being collected to identify victims. The incident has renewed calls for strict enforcement of fire safety regulations in industrial and warehouse facilities across the state.
