The bodies of six Bangladeshi nationals killed in a hotel fire in Kolkata, India, will be brought back home on Saturday afternoon.
Five of the bodies will enter Bangladesh through Benapole Land Port in Jashore, while one will arrive via Bhomra Land Port in Satkhira.
Those returning through Benapole are journalist Debashish Dutta, his wife Afsana Sharmin, their three‑year‑old son Swornoshish, his father‑in‑law Akram Hossain, and Ahmed Babu of Aminbazar, Savar. The body of Satkhira’s Alimuzzaman Saju will come through Bhomra.
Legal and administrative formalities were completed Friday night, and the bodies are expected to leave Kolkata between 1pm and 2pm Bangladesh time. They were kept at Peace World morgue in Kolkata until departure, UNB reports.
Debashish and his son will be cremated at Kushtia Crematorium around 8pm. Afsana and Akram will be taken first to Debashish’s home, then to Akram’s house in Kushtia’s Thanapara area, before burial at Kushtia Municipal Graveyard after Esha prayers.
Family members said Debashish and Afsana married nine years ago despite belonging to different religions. They had two children, Mahima and Swornoshish.
Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, Md Khaled, confirmed the repatriation would be at government expense.
Another Bangladeshi victim, Rebati Sarker of Satkhira, will be buried in India at the family’s request.
Nine people died in the fire at Shikha Inn Tuesday night, seven Bangladeshis and two Indians. Autopsies were conducted at Kolkata Medical College Hospital on Thursday.
Debashish had travelled to Kolkata on 3 August with his wife and younger son for medical treatment. His father‑in‑law joined them later.
