At least 14 people lost their lives in a fire that broke out on Tuesday evening at a hotel near Falpatti Machhua in central Kolkata, according to a senior police official.
The fire started around 8:15 pm at the Rituraj Hotel. Rescue teams managed to save several people, and 14 bodies have been recovered so far. While the blaze has been brought under control, rescue efforts are still ongoing. A special team has also been formed to investigate the incident. The exact cause of the fire is not yet known.
Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar called on the state administration to act quickly, urging them to rescue those injured, provide medical help, and improve fire safety enforcement to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar slammed the the Kolkata Corporation for poor safety measures. He said many people were still trapped in the building and questioned the corporation’s preparedness and response.
(With ANI Inputs)