Fire at Kolkata Residential Hotel Kills Nine People, Including Seven Bangladeshis

A fatal fire broke out on Tuesday night at the 'Shikha Inn' residential hotel, located on Mirza Ghalib Street in the busy New Market area of Kolkata, India. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of nine people. According to the confirmed breakdown of the victims, seven of those who lost their lives were citizens of Bangladesh, while the remaining two victims were Indian nationals.

Initial investigations into the disaster have revealed severe safety and regulatory violations at the hotel. Authorities confirmed that the 'Shikha Inn' establishment operated without a valid fire license and had not undergone any safety audits for a long period. This revelation has brought intense scrutiny to the safety standards of the local hospitality industry, which includes between 1,000 and 1,200 hotels operating in the area.

Survivors recounted harrowing details of the late-night blaze. Md. Asaduzzaman, who managed to escape the burning building, described his narrow brush with death. 'I was on the fifth floor. Immediately after the fire broke out, I somehow managed to escape by covering my nose with the t-shirt I was wearing. If it had been even one minute later, I might have died too,' he stated.

The tragedy quickly triggered political fallout and sharp criticism from various political organizations, including the BJP, the ruling Trinamool Congress, the Left Front, and the CPI(M). Nabin Mishra, speaking on the regulatory failures, alleged that successive governments belonging to the Left Front and the Trinamool Congress had illegally issued licenses to hotels one after another over the years, transforming residential buildings into commercial properties without proper oversight.

Mohammed Salim also sharply criticized the authorities regarding the safety and protection of foreign visitors. Highlighting the heavy influx of travelers from neighboring Bangladesh, Salim questioned the security and administrative measures taken by the Kolkata Police and the state government. Pointing to systemic corruption, he argued that after a disaster occurs, authorities should focus on finding the root causes rather than shifting blame, warning that municipal bodies, fire services, and police often permit illegal operations in exchange for money.

In the wake of the deadly blaze, authorities have announced that a committee will be formed within 72 hours to thoroughly investigate the incident and address the widespread concerns regarding hotel safety compliance across Kolkata.