At least 14 people lost their lives in a massive fire that broke out on Tuesday evening at Rituraj Hotel near Falpatti Machhua in central Kolkata, according to a senior police official.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma confirmed the death toll and stated that multiple others were rescued. “The fire started around 8:15 p.m. Fourteen bodies have been recovered so far. The fire is now under control, and rescue efforts are still ongoing,” Verma said. A special investigation team has been formed to determine the cause of the incident, which remains unknown.
The tragedy has triggered widespread concern and criticism over fire safety compliance in the city. Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar urged the state administration to act swiftly in rescuing survivors and providing aid. He also called for a comprehensive review of fire safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Echoing these concerns, West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar criticized the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for negligence. “This is a tragic incident. People are still trapped inside. There was no proper safety or security in place. I don’t know what the corporation is doing,” he told ANI.
As emergency services continue their operations, questions are being raised over lapses in safety standards and the urgent need for regulatory reform in public accommodations.