The Fire Services Director of West Bengal State, Anuj Sharma on Wednesday, 19 August, 2026 confirmed that nine persons lost their live and several others injured in a fire at a hotel in the Indian city of Kolkata on the morning of Wednesday, 19 August, 2026.
It was gathered that at least 60 guests were in the hotel when the fire broke out.
“Nine people were killed, including a child, in the fire that broke out early on Wednesday. Thick smoke enveloped the hotel. Some victims were found in the bathrooms,” Sharma told AFP, just as he also disclosed that preliminary information suggested an air conditioner in the budget hotel may have exploded and caused the blaze, Sharma said.
The fire service director added that nine people — six men, two women and a child — were rescued and taken to hospital.
A member of West Bengal’s ruling party, Santosh Pathak, disclosed that some victims seemed to be Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, said.
“We are trying to confirm the nationality of the victims,” Pathak told newsmen.
A total of 60 guests were in the hotel when the fire broke out.
Building fires are common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment and routine disregard for safety regulations.
Source: AFP
