Kolkata Hotel fire kills 14, trapped guests cling to ledges and balconies
At least 14 people, including two children, lost their lives in a massive blaze that tore through the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata's congested Burrabazar area on Tuesday night.
Around 50 people were believed to be in the six-storey hotel when the fire broke out around 8:15 PM, reportedly starting in a room near the kitchen on the first floor.
As smoke and flames rapidly engulfed the structure, terrified guests climbed onto window ledges and rooftops to escape.
Mobile phone flashlights were used to signal for help, while firefighters deployed hydraulic ladders to rescue people from balconies and narrow ledges.
Despite rescue efforts, most victims were found on staircases, with authorities suspecting suffocation as the main cause of death.
At least two people were seriously injured, and one guest reportedly died after jumping from the rooftop in panic.
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose confirmed that eight of the bodies had been identified and noted that the hotel's internal firefighting systems appeared to have failed. 'A forensic team is examining the site, and an inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire,' he added.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma said a Special Investigation Team had been formed to examine lapses in evacuation protocols and fire safety infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident, posting on X: 'Anguished by the loss of lives.' He announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims' families.
West Bengal's Social Welfare Minister Sashi Panja called it an 'unfortunate incident,' adding that 'some victims died due to suffocation.'
BJP's Sukanta Majumdar blamed the state government and called for 'stricter monitoring' of safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
The disaster echoes similar deadly fires in Indian cities, often attributed to poor planning and lax enforcement of safety codes.
Last year, 27 died in a Gujarat arcade fire, and 10 newborns perished in a blaze in a Jhansi hospital.
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