Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 19: At least nine people were killed after a massive fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata in the early hours of Wednesday. All the victims were reportedly Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to the city for medical treatment.

The blaze erupted shortly after 2:00 am in a four-storey building housing the hotel, trapping several guests inside and triggering a major rescue operation. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be established.

Rescue teams reached the spot and evacuated several people from the building. After 3:00 am, nine people were rescued and rushed to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where they were later declared dead.

According to the fire department, all nine deceased were Bangladeshi citizens who were in Kolkata for medical treatment. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control.

Authorities are investigating allegations that the hotel did not have adequate fire safety measures or proper fire safety arrangements in place.

Further details are awaited as authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the fire and the hotel's safety arrangements.