Fatal hotel fire kills at least nine in Kolkata

A fire broke out at a budget hotel in a congested area of central Kolkata, India, early Wednesday morning, resulting in at least nine deaths and multiple injuries. The blaze began around 2:50 a.m. on the second floor and was contained within an hour by local emergency services. In addition to the nine fatalities, at least six people, including six men, two women, and one child, were rescued and transported to a hospital for treatment. Approximately 30 other individuals were successfully evacuated from the building.

While police officials initially suggested the fire may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, the exact cause remains under investigation. There is conflicting information regarding the identities of the deceased; news agency ANI and NDTV reported that all victims were Bangladeshi citizens who had traveled to Kolkata for medical treatment, but a senior police officer stated that the nationalities of the victims are still being verified. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine the official cause of the blaze.