Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills Nine People Near New Market Area
A devastating early morning fire at a Kolkata hotel claimed the lives of nine people and injured six others. Emergency responders successfully rescued sixty individuals from the burning building.
At least nine people tragically lost their lives in a major fire that broke out at a hotel located on Free School Street and Mirza Ghalib Street, near the busy New Market area in Kolkata, India. The deadly incident unfolded in the middle of the night, specifically occurring around 2 AM on Wednesday, August 19, catching sleeping guests and staff by surprise inside the establishment identified as Hotel Shikha Inn.
In response to the emergency, local authorities deployed four fire units along with specialized disaster management teams to combat the fierce blaze and execute rescue operations. Through the concerted efforts of the firefighting and rescue personnel, a total of 60 people were successfully rescued from the dangerous confines of the burning hotel and brought to safety.
Preliminary reports compiled by investigators at the scene suggest that the deadly fire may have originated from an air conditioner explosion within the building. While authorities worked to establish the exact sequence of events, a police official stated that their primary focus remained on rescuing those trapped inside and determining the precise cause of the fire, noting that the flames had been completely extinguished and cooling operations for the building were underway.
Following the disaster, the injured victims were rushed for urgent medical care. According to available updates, six injured people are currently undergoing medical treatment at the SSKM Hospital, while others received medical attention at the Kolkata Medical College Hospital. Medical teams at the facilities are working to provide necessary care to the survivors recovering from the incident.
The aftermath of the tragedy has drawn international attention, particularly concerning the identities of the victims. The Bangladesh Embassy confirmed the deaths of eight Bangladeshi nationals in the Kolkata hotel fire, whereas news agencies ANI and PTI reported that all nine of the deceased victims were Bangladeshi nationals who were visiting the city specifically for medical treatment.
