Deadly Fire Engulfs Kolkata Hotel, Resulting in Multiple Fatalities and Highlighting Safety Concerns

A devastating fire erupted at a hotel in Kolkata, India, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 14 lives, according to police reports released on Wednesday. Senior police officer Manoj Kumar Verma confirmed that the blaze began on Tuesday evening at the Rituraj Hotel, located in central Kolkata. Firefighters, utilizing six engines, eventually brought the fire under control. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Images and video footage circulated in Indian media depicted individuals desperately attempting to escape the burning building. They were seen trying to find safety through windows and narrow ledges.

The Kolkata-based newspaper, The Telegraph, reported that at least one person died after jumping from a balcony in an attempt to escape the inferno.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of life in a post on X.

Fires are a frequent occurrence in India, often attributed to violations of building regulations and safety standards. Activists have pointed to cost-cutting measures by builders and alleged negligence by local authorities as contributing factors.

In 2022, a major fire in New Delhi claimed the lives of at least 27 people in a four-story commercial building.