Deadly Hotel Blaze in Kolkata Claims Nine Lives, Including Five Bangladeshi Nationals
Kolkata, India – A devastating fire ripped through a budget hotel in Kolkata early Wednesday morning, killing nine people, including a child, and critically injuring several others. Among the deceased are five Bangladeshi nationals, four from the same family, who had reportedly traveled to India for medical treatment. The tragic incident has once again brought into sharp focus the pervasive issue of fire safety lapses in Indian establishments.
The inferno engulfed the Shika Inn hotel, located in a bustling area of the West Bengal capital, in the pre-dawn hours. Anuj Sharma, the fire services director for West Bengal state, confirmed the grim toll, stating, "Nine people were killed, including a child, in the fire that broke out early on Wednesday." He described a scene of chaos and suffocation, noting, "Thick smoke enveloped the hotel. Some victims were found in the bathrooms," suggesting they were overcome by the fumes while attempting to escape or seek refuge.
Preliminary investigations point towards a possible explosion of an air conditioner as the cause of the blaze, according to Sharma. However, a forensic team has been deployed to thoroughly examine the scene and ascertain the definitive origin of the fire.
The presence of Bangladeshi nationals among the victims was confirmed by Bangladesh’s deputy high commission in Kolkata. A statement from the commission revealed, "Of the nine, five are Bangladeshis, four of whom are from the same family." Santosh Pathak, a member of West Bengal’s ruling party, further elaborated that these individuals had journeyed to Kolkata specifically for medical treatment. India, particularly Kolkata due to its proximity to Dhaka, is a popular destination for hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis annually seeking more affordable healthcare options.
The tragic event follows closely on the heels of another fatal hotel fire just two days prior in Tarapith, a holy town in West Bengal, where eight people perished. These incidents underscore a recurring problem in India, where building fires are regrettably common, often attributed to inadequate firefighting equipment and a widespread disregard for safety regulations.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the fire’s intensity. Atiyar Rehman, a guest from Satkhira in Bangladesh, recounted his terrifying experience to the Indian Express newspaper, stating, "We woke up struggling to breathe in the smoke. We somehow managed to escape." Rehman also highlighted a critical shortcoming, claiming the hotel lacked a functional fire safety system.
At least 60 guests were staying at the Shika Inn at the time of the fire, according to police. Media reports indicate that six individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Firefighters faced immense challenges in their rescue efforts, with a police officer quoted by the Press Trust of India news agency stating, "The dense smoke made it difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors." They resorted to using ladders to access the upper floors and rescue trapped individuals through windows.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of life, tweeting, "Extremely pained to learn about the loss of life. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is assisting those who are affected."
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on X (formerly Twitter) that a five-member team would conduct a "comprehensive inquiry" into the Kolkata fire. The state’s fire minister, Kaushik Chaudhary, confirmed that police are actively investigating potential safety lapses at the hotel, which is situated in a densely populated and busy part of the city. The outcome of these investigations and the promised inquiry will be crucial in addressing the systemic issues that continue to plague fire safety in Indian establishments and preventing such tragedies from recurring.
