Prayagraj Cold Storage Collapse: Death Toll Reaches 4, Rescue Operations Continue for Second Day

March 24, 2026

Prayagraj: Rescue operations continued for the second day after a cold storage building collapse in Prayagraj, with debris being cleared using JCBs and bulldozers.

So far, four bodies have been recovered, while 17 injured persons are undergoing treatment in hospitals.

Earlier, on Monday afternoon around 1:30 pm, a building of a cold storage facility owned by former minister Ansar Ahmad alias Pahalwan collapsed following a blast in Phaphamau. A case has been registered at Phaphamau police station against 12 people, including a Samajwadi Party leader and his son. Of these, seven have been named while five remain unidentified.

Eyewitnesses Describe Massive Explosion

Dainik Bhaskar spoke to several eyewitnesses at the site. People said the explosion was so intense that it felt like a bomb blast. Everything happened so quickly that no one could understand what was going on. Thick dust engulfed the entire area. Locals believe that if it had not been lunchtime, the death toll could have been much higher.

The rescue operation continued throughout the night, with debris being removed using heavy machinery.

Lunchtime Helped Save Many Lives

Around 110 people were present at the cold storage on March 23. According to eyewitnesses, it was lunchtime, which is conducted in two shifts — from 1 pm to 2 pm and from 2 pm to 3 pm.

Workers usually step outside after eating — some to smoke, some for tea or tobacco, while others rest nearby. Many of those who were sitting or lying down during this time were trapped under the debris when the building collapsed.

Terrifying Moments Recalled by Survivors

Deepak, whose father Belhar Chaudhary works as a labourer there, was seen in shock and struggling to speak. He said an ammonia gas tanker exploded, causing a loud blast, after which the roof began collapsing.

“My father was sleeping there when the debris fell on him. I was sleeping on the other side, which is why I survived,” he said. Many workers had lain down to rest after lunch, while some had stepped outside when the explosion occurred.

Nandan Kumar, another worker, said that before the blast, there was a hissing sound, indicating a possible ammonia gas leak.

“Then there was a loud noise, and the structure collapsed. Those inside couldn’t escape and got trapped under the debris. Everything turned smoky, and people started running in panic,” he said, adding that around 25–30 people who were resting were buried under the rubble.

Casualties Could Have Been Higher

Indal, another worker, said nearly 110 people were working at the site. Due to lunch break, many had moved away, which helped save lives.

“If it hadn’t been lunchtime, many more people would have died,” he said.

Three-Year-Old Among Critically Injured

A three-year-old child, Kartik alias Guddu, was seriously injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital (SRN) in the city.

Kartik is the son of Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Babaganj in Pratapgarh. His mother, Ranjana, works at the cold storage washing clothes. At the time of the incident, Kartik was playing at the site.

After the explosion, smoke filled the area and the structure collapsed. His mother rushed in, pulled him out from the debris, and ran to safety. Kartik’s father has already passed away.