Massive Kolkata hotel fire kills 9, several injured
A fire at a hotel in central Kolkata resulted in the deaths of nine Bangladeshi nationals and left several others injured. Emergency services have extinguished the blaze, and an investigation into the cause is underway.
Why it matters
This tragic event highlights fire safety concerns in densely populated urban centers and has international implications due to the nationality of the victims.
Nine Bangladeshi nationals died in a fire inside a hotel on Mirza Galib Street in central Kolkata, and six others were injured, a top Kolkata Police official said.
The fire started around 2 a.m. on Wednesday (August 19, 2026). The nine casualties were due to suffocation from the smoke. At least 15 others were rescued from the hotel.
Five fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze. Police and Disaster Management Department personnel reached the spot for the rescue operation.
The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital.
"The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared," a police officer told PTI .
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