Kolkata Warehouse Fire: DNA Matches Allow Handover of 18 Victims’ Remains as Officials Reaffirm Toll at 27
Authorities now focus on completing nine pending DNA matches, with investigators scrutinizing alleged fire-safety failures at both warehouses.
Overview
- Police handed over the DNA-identified remains of 18 workers to families from the Katapukur/Kantapukur morgue, with 16 from Purba Medinipur, one from Paschim Medinipur and one from Baruipur.
- Two of the identified sets of remains were not released due to procedural issues, according to one local report.
- Nine victims’ remains are still awaiting DNA confirmation, after which death certificates will be issued by local authorities.
- Officials clarified the confirmed death toll remains 27 after confusion from early reports that misread handover counts as additional fatalities.
- The warehouse owner and two managers are in custody as probes examine regulatory lapses, with fire officials stating neither site had a safety certificate and compensation announced by the Centre, state and employers.