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Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kolkata Hotel Fire: SIT to probe; PM Modi announces ex gratia
The West Bengal government ordered a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Kolkata Police into the fire. 'An SIT has been formed to probe the cause of the fire and to check the safety measures that were in place. The investigation will also look into the difficulties faced by the guests while evacuating from the building,' Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma told reporters on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: 'My heart goes out to the victims of the fire incident. I monitored the rescue and fire fight operations throughout the night. Investigation has been ordered. My condolences to the victim families and solidarity for all affected,' Banerjee posted on a social media platform.
Euronews
30-04-2025
- Euronews
At least 14 killed after fire tears through Kolkata hotel building, Indian police say
ADVERTISEMENT At least 14 people have been killed in a fire that tore through a hotel in the city of Kolkata in eastern India, police have said. Senior police officer Manoj Kumar Verma told reporters that the blaze broke out on Tuesday evening at the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata. Six fire engines took part in efforts to extinguish the fire, which has now been put out. It was not immediately clear how the fire began. Photos and videos carried by Indian media showed people trying to escape through the building's windows and along narrow ledges. A policeman stops visitors in front of a hotel building which caught fire in Kolkata, 30 April, 2025 AP Photo The Kolkata daily newspaper, The Telegraph, reported that at least one person died after jumping from the terrace to escape the flames. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that he was "anguished" by the loss of lives. Urban fires are common in India, where builders and residents often flout building laws and safety codes. Activists say constructors often cut corners on safety to save costs and have accused civic authorities of negligence and apathy. In 2022, at least 27 people were killed when a massive fire tore though a four-story commercial building in New Delhi.
Toronto Sun
30-04-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Fire tears through hotel in eastern Indian city of Kolkata, killing at least 14 people
Fire tears through hotel in eastern Indian city of Kolkata, killing at least 14 people NEW DELHI (AP) — A fire tore through a hotel in the city of Kolkata in eastern India, killing at least 14 people, police said Wednesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Fire tears through hotel in eastern Indian city of Kolkata, killing at least 14 people Article content Senior police officer Manoj Kumar Verma told reporters that the fire broke out Tuesday evening at the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata and was doused after an effort that took six fire engines. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Photos and videos carried in Indian media showed people trying to escape through the windows and narrow ledges of the building. Kolkata's The Telegraph newspaper reported that at least one person died when he jumped off the terrace trying to escape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that he was 'anguished' by the loss of lives in the fire. Fires are common in India, where builders and residents often flout building laws and safety codes. Activists say builders often cut corners on safety to save costs and have accused civic authorities of negligence and apathy. In 2022, at least 27 people were killed when a massive fire tore though a four-story commercial building in New Delhi.
International Business Times
30-04-2025
- International Business Times
15 Killed as Fire Breaks Out at Indian Hotel, Minister Blames Management
At least 15 people were killed in a fire at a hotel in the Indian city of Kolkata on Tuesday night, April 29, the police said on Wednesday, April 30. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma told AFP that the incident took place around 8:15 pm at Rituraj Hotel. He added that several people were rescued from rooms and the roof of the budget hotel. However, the fire has been brought under control. Verma told AFP, "The death toll has risen to 15, including two children and a woman," adding, an investigation had been launched to find out what triggered the blaze. "The hotel turned into a gas chamber, and it appears that many people suffocated to death," he added. About 88 people were staying at the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata's crowded business sector when the fire started. Approximately a dozen individuals are receiving treatment for burn injuries. Sukanta Majumdar, a state BJP president and union minister, had already called on the state government to save the lives. In order to stop such terrible events from happening again, he had demanded "stricter monitoring" of fire safety precautions. "I urge the state administration to immediately rescue those affected, ensure their safety, and provide them with necessary medical and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, I appeal for a thorough review and stricter monitoring of fire safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future," he said in a post on X. West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar also slammed the Kolkata Corporation for the incident. In an interview with ANI, Sarkar said, "This is a tragic incident. A fire broke out...A lot of people are still stuck in the building. There was no safety or security...I don't know what the corporation is doing."
30-04-2025
Fire tears through hotel in Kolkata, killing at least 14 people
NEW DELHI -- A fire tore through a hotel in the city of Kolkata in eastern India, killing at least 14 people, police said Wednesday. Senior police officer Manoj Kumar Verma told reporters that the fire broke out Tuesday evening at the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata and was doused after an effort that took six fire engines. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Photos and videos carried in Indian media showed people trying to escape through the windows and narrow ledges of the building. Kolkata's The Telegraph newspaper reported that at least one person died when he jumped off the terrace trying to escape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that he was 'anguished' by the loss of lives in the fire. Fires are common in India, where builders and residents often flout building laws and safety codes. Activists say builders often cut corners on safety to save costs and have accused civic authorities of negligence and apathy. In 2022, at least 27 people were killed when a massive fire
