West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday visited Garden Reach area in the city, where an under-construction building collapsed, leaving two persons dead and at least seven people injured.

She directed Calcutta Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal to take action against those involved in the illegal construction of the five-storey building which collapsed around midnight in the area, reports PTI.

Banerjee also visited the hospital where the injured persons are undergoing treatment.

“This is a very congested area. This building had no sanction from the authorities and it was illegal. I have told the CP and the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC) to take action,” she told reporters after taking stock of the situation.

Banerjee with her forehead bandaged visited the place. She suffered an injury on her forehead on Thursday evening and underwent stitches.

The chief minister said that her government stands by the families whose shanties were damaged in the building collapse.

She also said that two persons were killed in the building collapse and five to six people might still be trapped under the debris.

“This is Ramzan month and this incident happened. I extend my condolences to the bereaved families,” she added.

The rescue operation is going on at the site located at Azan Molla Lane in the city's western periphery.

"In a horrific accident, an under-construction five-storeyed building collapsed around midnight. Two persons were killed and at least seven people were injured," city mayor Firhad Hakim said.

Hakim apprehended that some more people might still be trapped under the debris.

He announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 1 lakh to injured persons.

Hakim, who is also West Bengal's urban development minister, said "I have spoken to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and we will give Rs five lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs one lakh to each injured person." Calcutta Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the spot and took stock of the rescue operation.

"The under-construction building collapsed in the Garden Reach area late on Sunday night. We have rescued a few people. The recuse operation is still going on," a police official said.

According to locals, who were the first responders, concrete chunks fell from the building before it collapsed.

There was a loud sound and a thick cloud of dust engulfed the area as the building collapsed. The debris fell on nearby shanties in the densely populated area, they said.

"Although no one lived in the under-construction building, it collapsed on the adjacent shanties. We fear that many individuals might still be trapped under the rubble," said a local resident.

In a post on X, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, "I urge @chief_west, Secretary @HomeBengal, @CPKolkata to immediately involve West Bengal State Disaster Management Team for immediate Rescue & Relief."

"I am receiving frantic calls regarding probable casualties. Please dispatch any team which can help in rescuing the victims, be it Fire Servicemen, Police or any other team," he said.