At least nine people were killed after a devastative fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, India, early Wednesday.
Five of the victims were Bangladeshi nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh said in a press release.
The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata has contacted the families of the deceased, four of whom were members of the same family, the release adds.
The identities of the remaining victims have not yet been confirmed by local authorities. In addition, six injured Bangladeshis were released after receiving primary treatment.
To provide continuous assistance to Bangladeshis, officials from the deputy high commission are maintaining round‑the‑clock contact with hospitals and local police. A 24‑hour helpline has already been launched by the mission.
The foreign ministry and the deputy high commission are in close communication with the relevant Indian authorities regarding the situation.
The blaze erupted around 2am at the hotel on Free School Street near New Market, one of the city’s busiest and most densely populated areas.
Four fire tenders rushed to the scene after receiving information about the blaze. A disaster management team also joined the rescue efforts.
Firefighters evacuated those trapped inside and eventually brought the fire under control.
West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul visited the site and received a briefing from senior police officers. She said the government is planning to form a team to check whether hotels in the city have valid permits and fire licences.
Paul told reporters that police are still verifying whether the deceased were Bangladeshis or Indian, and identities will be confirmed after investigation.
The Kolkata hotel fire comes just two days after another deadly blaze in West Bengal’s Birbhum district. At least eight people were killed and several others injured after a fire broke out at Hotel Bideshini in Tarapith in the early hours of 17 August.
