At least nine killed, several injured in hotel fire in India's Kolkata

At least nine individuals, including a child, perished in a hotel fire that broke out in Kolkata, India, on Wednesday morning. Local police confirmed the fatalities following the incident, which occurred in the eastern Indian city.

The fire ignited around 2:50 a.m. on the second floor of the hotel building. Firefighters responded swiftly and managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour. Approximately 30 people were safely evacuated from the premises during the emergency response.

While the precise cause of the fire remains under investigation, a senior police officer indicated that an electrical short circuit might be the trigger. Local media outlets, citing information from the fire department, reported that some of the deceased were Bangladeshi citizens who had traveled to Kolkata for medical treatment. However, conflicting reports emerged, with one outlet stating all nine victims were Bangladeshi, while the police official maintained that the nationalities of those killed were yet to be definitively ascertained.

The hotel is situated in a congested area of central Kolkata and is known to offer budget accommodations and dining options. The incident has raised concerns about safety standards in such establishments.