Kolkata building collapse: Part of four-storey house falls in Dacres Lane

A portion of a four-storey building collapsed on Dacres Lane in the Esplanade area of central Kolkata on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred in Government Place East, where the building housed several bars and restaurants.

A major accident was reportedly averted because the establishments were closed for Independence Day. While the area is typically crowded with office workers during lunch and after work, the building was empty at the time of the collapse. Two individuals, including a caretaker, were on the other side of the structure and survived safely.

Following the collapse, residents from nearby multi-storey buildings were evacuated as cracks appeared in surrounding structures. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s demolition team has arrived at the scene, and police have cordoned off the area with barricades. An investigation is underway, though initial assessments suggest that continuous monsoon rains may have weakened the structure.