Five Bangladeshis among nine killed in Kolkata hotel fire

Five Bangladeshi nationals, including four from the same family, are among nine people killed in a fire at a hotel in central Kolkata early on Wednesday morning. The Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata confirmed the deaths and said its officials were coordinating with local authorities. The blaze broke out around 4:30 am at a six-storey hotel on Ripon Street, in a crowded commercial area, and trapped several guests on upper floors.

Firefighters rescued at least 14 people, but nine died of smoke inhalation or burns. Among the Bangladeshi victims were a couple, their infant child, and the wife's mother, the fifth Bangladeshi national was a family acquaintance staying at the hotel. The hotel's assistant manager was detained for questioning. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation by the Kolkata Police and the fire department.