Kolkata Warehouse Collapse Kills 8, Injures 20+; Dozens Feared Trapped Under Massive Debris in Taratala
Tragic news has emerged from Kolkata: on Wednesday, June 24, around 11:30 AM, a 32,000-square-foot under-construction warehouse in Taratala suddenly collapsed, resulting in eight deaths and leaving over 20 people injured. Approximately 40 workers were trapped under concrete debris, twisted iron beams, steel structures, and tin sheets during the incident. Around 400 personnel from the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, Kolkata Police, Fire Brigade, Civil Defence, and the Disaster Management Unit have been deployed for the rescue operation. Modern equipment—such as angle cutters, diamond chain saws, air plasma cutting machines, and cordless hammer drills—is being used to cut through the concrete debris. Rescue workers systematically removed parts of the collapsed structure and initially pulled about 25 people out; however, as time passed, reports indicated that the number of workers trapped under the rubble was higher. Taking action on the matter, the police arrested three individuals late Wednesday night: site supervisor Syed Mohammad Gulzar, labor supplier Subhash Chaudhary, and Mohammad Ata-ul. According to available information, the facility was intended to serve as a tea warehouse, battery store, and cold storage unit. The warehouse—comprising a ground floor plus two additional stories—was being constructed on Kolkata Port land and had been leased for 30 years by Shambhu Bada, a businessman from Odisha. Preliminary investigations by engineers have revealed significant flaws in the building’s design; the Detective Department has now taken over the investigation into the case.
President Draupadi Murmu Confers Gallantry Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan; 7 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras & 29 Shaurya Chakras Presented.
President Draupadi Murmu presented gallantry awards to brave soldiers at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 8, 2026. President Draupadi Murmu presented Gallantry Awards to personnel from the Armed Forces, CAPFs, and State and Union Territories for their valor, courage, and supreme dedication to duty. The President honored their supreme sacrifice and valor in defending the nation’s sovereignty by awarding a total of seven Kirti Chakras (two posthumously), 15 Vir Chakras (three posthumously), and 12 Shaurya Chakras (one posthumously). In the first phase of the ceremony, soldiers were honored with the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, the “Kirti Chakra,” and the prestigious wartime honor, the “Vir Chakra.” This year, a total of seven Kirti Chakras were awarded, of which two were posthumously awarded to brave soldiers. The families of the martyrs received the awards from the President. Also, 15 brave soldiers were awarded the Vir Chakra for their indomitable courage and for facing the enemies in war-like conditions, out of which three soldiers received this honour posthumously. In this ceremony, 29 Shaurya Chakras were also awarded by the President. Shaurya Chakra is the third highest peacetime gallantry award of the country, which is given for extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice in front of the enemies. Out of the 29 Shaurya Chakras given this year, one medal was given posthumously.Apart from the soldiers of the Indian Army, CRPF and BSF and anti-terrorism police forces of various states were also among those who received this honour List of Awardees