Guwahati: Nine people died and six others were injured after a fire broke out at a hotel in central Kolkata in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, Police said.
The fire broke out around 2 a.m. at a multi-hotel building in the Mirza Ghalib Street area. The nine victims died of suffocation caused by smoke, while at least 15 people were rescued by firefighters.
Police initially identified all nine deceased as Bangladeshi nationals. They had reportedly travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment.
The injured were taken to Calcutta Medical College for treatment. The fire has since been brought under control, while the cause of the blaze remains unknown. An investigation is underway.
The hotel was identified as Hotel Shikhali. A case has been registered against its owner at New Market Police Station.
Fire Minister Kaushik Chowdhury visited the site and inspected the relief and rescue operations.
Police said 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,” they added.
The incident occurred two days after another deadly hotel fire in Tarapith, where at least nine people were killed. The latest incident has again raised concerns over fire safety protocols at smaller hotel establishments.
Following the Tarapith fire, at least 15 hotels in the area were sealed and ordered to stop operations after several protocol violations were reported.