Prayagraj cold storage collapse: Owner detained; FIR against seven

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.
People gather as a rescue operation is underway after a cold storage building collapsed, at Phaphamau, in Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, Monday, March 23, 2026.
People gather as a rescue operation is underway after a cold storage building collapsed, at Phaphamau, in Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, Monday, March 23, 2026. File Photo | PTI
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PRAYAGRAJ: 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.

People gather as a rescue operation is underway after a cold storage building collapsed, at Phaphamau, in Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, Monday, March 23, 2026.
Five dead in UP's Prayagraj as cold storage wall collapse; ammonia leak triggers panic

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

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