Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Including 5 Bangladeshis

A devastating fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, West Bengal, early Wednesday morning, killing around nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals. A child was also among those who died.

Police officials said the fire broke out on the second floor of the hotel at around 2:50 a.m. local time and was brought under control within about an hour. A preliminary investigation suggests that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire.

According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four of the five Bangladeshi nationals who died were members of the same family. Six other Bangladeshi nationals were injured and were discharged from hospital after receiving first aid.

West Bengal Fire Minister Kaushik Choudhury said around 80 people were safely evacuated from the hotel. A five-member team has been formed to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.