The aftermath of a catastrophic warehouse fire in West Bengal has resulted in a tragic death toll of 21 individuals, with Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), visiting the Nazirabad area in South 24 Parganas to assess the situation on January 29, 2026. Adhikari was halted by police just 100 meters from the site due to the enforcement of Section 163 of BNS, which restricts access to such disaster zones. Despite this, he condemned the response of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, attributing the disaster to governmental negligence.
The fire, which erupted on January 26, saw a surge in the death toll as search and rescue teams recovered additional bodies from the debris. Adhikari criticized the state government's handling of the crisis, claiming that emergency services were delayed in their response. He questioned the apparent preferential treatment for ruling party ministers while opposition leaders faced restrictions, emphasizing the need for accountability.
- Death toll rises to 21 — Recent recovery operations confirmed additional fatalities.
- 28 individuals still missing — Concerns grow as search efforts continue in the wreckage.
- Forensic investigation ongoing — Authorities are examining the cause of the devastating fire.
The situation remains dire as search operations continue, hampered by the instability of the partially collapsed structures. Adhikari announced plans for an agitation at Narendrapur to protest the government’s inaction. In response, the TMC accused the BJP of politicizing a humanitarian disaster, asserting that they are focused on providing aid to victims and their families.
The police confirmed that they are actively conducting search operations, yet the remaining hazards from the collapsed buildings have complicated rescue efforts. Adhikari, while adhering to legal restrictions, expressed his commitment to uncovering the truth behind the incident, stating,
