Fire tragedy claims 15 lives at India's Kolkata hotel, including two children, woman

A devastating fire broke out at the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata, India, claiming the lives of at least 15 people, including two children and a woman.

Authorities reported that a dozen others sustained burn injuries and are currently receiving treatment. The incident, which occurred in the heart of a congested business district, has prompted an investigation into the cause of the blaze, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

"The death toll has risen to 15, including two children and a woman," said local official Verma. He added that an investigation had been launched to determine what triggered the fire. "The hotel turned into a gas chamber and it appears that many people suffocated to death," Verma further explained.

At the time of the fire, the hotel was occupied by 88 guests, many of whom found themselves trapped inside the building as flames engulfed the structure. The Press Trust of India (PTI) reported harrowing scenes of individuals attempting to escape through windows and narrow ledges as the inferno spread rapidly. "Several people were seen trying to escape through the windows and narrow ledges of the building," PTI reported, capturing images of the towering flames.

Kolkata's The Telegraph newspaper reported that one individual tragically died after attempting to leap from the terrace in a desperate bid to escape the fire. "At least one person died when he 'jumped off the terrace trying to escape' the fire," the report noted.

The fire, which has since been extinguished, prompted a major emergency response. Verma confirmed that "cooling operations are underway" as authorities continue to assess the aftermath of the disaster.

Building fires, especially in densely populated areas, are a frequent occurrence in India, where inadequate firefighting equipment and a systemic disregard for safety regulations are often to blame. Last year, six people lost their lives in a similar fire at a hotel in Patna, Bihar.

In the wake of the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims' families. "May the injured recover soon," Modi's office said in a statement.

Kolkata, a vibrant metropolis with a population exceeding 15 million, is the capital of West Bengal state, which is governed by the opposition Trinamool Congress party. The fire has sent shockwaves through the city, drawing attention to ongoing concerns over fire safety in India’s urban areas.

By Vafa Guliyeva