Bangladeshi Nationals Among 9 Dead In Kolkata Hotel Fire, AC Blast Suspected
A fire at a hotel in Kolkata resulted in nine deaths, including Bangladeshi nationals visiting for medical treatment. Authorities suspect an air-conditioner explosion caused the blaze, and an investigation is underway as the hotel owners remain at large.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical lapses in urban fire safety regulations and the vulnerability of medical tourists in high-density areas.
At least nine people, including a child, were killed after a massive fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata in the early hours of Wednesday.The blaze erupted around 2:00 am on Free School Street near New Market, one of the city's busiest and most densely populated areas, trapping several guests inside the building and triggering a major rescue operation.According to the fire department, Bangladeshi nationals were among those who died in the blaze. They had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, news agency ANI reported.Preliminary investigations found that the hotel lacked basic fire safety measures. Kolkata Police have registered a case and launched a search for the hotel owner and staff members, who are currently on the run. Around 60 people were rescued from the building during the operation, while nine people, including a minor, were found unconscious and later declared dead at a hospital.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in