India news: Several killed in Kolkata hotel fire
At least nine people have died, including some Bangladeshi nationals, authorities said. Meanwhile, the building's owner was reportedly absconding. DW has more.
On Wednesday, August 19, a fire broke out in Kolkata, India, resulting in at least nine fatalities and six injuries, according to authorities. The blaze occurred at around 1:45 a.m. in central Kolkata, near the city's fire department headquarters. The structure, which housed several small hotels, was engulfed in flames. Fire-fighting units responded swiftly, with five units deployed to tackle the fire, while police and rescue teams arrived at the scene.
As per the Press Trust of India (PTI), 80 people were rescued from the inferno. Fire Department Minister Kaushik Chowdhury expressed shock at the situation, stating that the building housed multiple hotels, and the reason for the fire was under investigation. He suggested a short circuit could have triggered the blaze but emphasized the need for a forensic examination to confirm the cause. The building management was alleged to have violated safety and construction norms, leading to the tragic incident.
Rescue teams faced challenges due to dense smoke, making it difficult for firefighters to access upper floors. The police reported that the situation was dire, and more deaths were feared. The flames were eventually extinguished, but the building remained extremely hot, and efforts were underway to cool it down. Police also noted that the building owner had fled, and a case was being registered against him.
This incident follows a similar hotel fire in the temple town of Tarapith, where at least eight people lost their lives. Building fires are alarmingly common in India, often caused by outdated wiring and lax safety measures, resulting in hundreds of deaths annually.
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