A devastating fire swept through a hotel in Kolkata, India, on the evening of April 29, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 15 individuals, including two children and a woman. The incident occurred in a densely populated area of the city, causing widespread panic as guests struggled to escape the flames.
Authorities reported that the fire erupted around 8:15 PM, initially detected in a room adjacent to the kitchen on the first floor of the Rituraj Hotel. Within minutes, the inferno spread rapidly, engulfing the entire six-story building located in the bustling Burrabazar business district. At the time of the fire, nearly all of the hotel’s 45 rooms were occupied, with approximately 50 people inside.
Kolkata police chief Manoj Verma confirmed that rescue operations were launched immediately, with several individuals being saved from both their rooms and the hotel’s rooftop. Many guests attempted to flee the flames by climbing out of windows and onto narrow ledges, while others were tragically found in the hotel’s stairwell. Asphyxiation is believed to be the primary cause of death for most victims, according to Sujit Bose, the fire and emergency services minister of West Bengal.
By April 30, eight of the deceased had been identified, and an investigation was initiated to determine the cause of the fire. Bose noted that a forensic team was dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and investigate why the hotel’s fire safety systems had failed to activate during the emergency.
Eyewitness accounts revealed the chaotic scene as flames licked at the building's exterior, with many people desperately attempting to escape. Reports indicated that at least one individual lost their life after jumping from the terrace in a bid to flee the blaze. A worker at the hotel mentioned that construction activities were underway on the first floor, where a bar was being built, and that windows had been bricked up, potentially exacerbating the fire’s spread.
Building fires are unfortunately common in India, attributed to inadequate firefighting infrastructure and a frequent disregard for safety regulations. Nanda Mondal, a local contractor, described seeing plastic panels on the hotel that may have contributed to the fire's intensity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families affected by this tragedy, wishing for a swift recovery for the injured. As emergency crews continued their cooling operations, the grim reality of the situation settled over Kolkata, a city of over 15 million residents, now mourning the loss of life in this catastrophic event.
Zainab Y.
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