A day has passed but there are concerns about two more people still being trapped under the concrete in Garden Reach.

The death toll from the building collapse has risen to nine so far. The NDRF evacuated 10 people overnight. Rescue operations were temporarily halted at night due to a lack of light. However, it resumed in the morning. The nine killed in the mishap have been identified as Akbali Ali (34), Riwan Alam (22), Hasina Khatun (55), Shama Begum (44), Mohammad Wasik (19), Mohammad Imran (27), Ramzan Ali (60), Sheikh Nasimuddin (24), and Sheikh Abdulla (19).

Currently, 12 persons are undergoing treatment at a city hospital, where the condition of a few is stated to be critical. Though the death toll due to the collapse of a five-storey under-construction building in the Garden Reach area of the city reached nine yesterday, the local Trinamul Congress councillor, Shams Iqbal has claimed ignorance about the alleged mushrooming of illegal constructions in the area.

Meanwhile, ISF MLA Naushad Siddiqui claimed that both the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the administration should be held responsible for the collapse of houses in the Garden Reach area. He appeared at the accident site this morning. He raised questions about the illegal construction and filling up of water bodies in the city. His argument is that holding only promoters accountable for such illegal activities will not suffice. Those involved in such illegal constructions in various other ways should also be arrested. Naushad’s claim is, “If any big name emerges, it won’t be tolerated. Everyone responsible must be arrested.”

After visiting the spot, Naushad made it clear that he did not come to play politics there. He said, “It is the month of Ramadan. I have come for all my brothers who have suffered. There is no other reason.” It is alleged that when Naushad was talking to the locals today, the police had tried to remove him from there, which angered the residents. The MLA had to calm them down. Later, Naushad said, “Public outrage cannot be stopped by arresting the promoter alone. Everyone involved in this illegal activity should be arrested. I spoke to many people here; they have put the women in the family at another place. The government should take the responsibility of all these victims.”