A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel in a hazmat suit after a portion of a cold storage collapsed on Monday, in Prayagraj, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. At least four labourers were killed and 14 were injured in the incident, the collapse also triggered an ammonia gas leak from the facility. Photo: PTI
Prayagraj cold storage collapse: Owner detained; FIR against seven
Police launch investigation into licensing and ammonia leak as FIR is filed against multiple individuals following the Chandapur village tragedy
Prayagraj, Mar 24 (PTI) Police on Tuesday detained Ansar Ahmad, owner of the cold storage facility that collapsed in the Phaphamau area here, killing four workers and injuring several others, officials said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ganga Nagar) Kuldeep Gunawat said an FIR was registered late Monday night against seven named persons and four to five unidentified individuals in connection with the incident.
"Ansar Ahmad has been taken into custody and is being questioned," he said.
The district administration has ordered a probe into the incident. District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma has assigned the inquiry to Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Vinita Singh.
Singh said a preliminary report would be submitted within two days, while a detailed report would be filed within seven days.
According to officials, four workers died and 14 others were injured when a portion of the cold storage collapsed in Chandapur village under Phaphamau police station limits on Monday afternoon. The injured are undergoing treatment at SRN Hospital.
Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar had said the incident would be thoroughly investigated, including the status of the facility's licence and its renewal.
"We will examine how a structure in such a dilapidated condition was granted a licence. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible," he said.
The collapse also led to leakage of ammonia gas from a storage tank, triggering panic in the surrounding area, officials added. PTI