Four Bangladeshis From Same Family Among Kolkata Dead

Five Bangladeshi nationals have been identified among the nine people killed in a devastating hotel fire in Kolkata, West Bengal, with four of the victims belonging to the same family, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

The fire broke out on Tuesday night, 18 August, at a hotel near New Market in the heart of Kolkata. The area is one of the city’s busiest commercial districts, and the blaze caused panic as flames and smoke spread through the hotel. Several people staying at the premises were affected, with nine deaths reported so far.

Following news of the incident, officials from the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata went to the scene and began working with local authorities to establish the identities of those killed and injured. Officials also started gathering information about Bangladeshi nationals who may have been staying at the hotel at the time of the fire.

According to information provided by the local authorities, five of the nine people who died were Bangladeshi citizens. Kolkata police have confirmed their identities. The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission has also contacted the families of the deceased. Four of the five Bangladeshi victims have been identified as members of the same family.

The identities of the remaining four people killed in the fire have yet to be established. Local authorities are continuing efforts to identify them, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Six Bangladeshi nationals were also injured in the incident. They were taken to hospital and received initial medical treatment before being discharged. Officials from the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission are maintaining contact with hospitals and the local police to monitor the situation and provide assistance to the affected Bangladeshi nationals.

The incident has also prompted continued coordination between Bangladeshi and Indian authorities. Officials are working to gather verified information on the victims, assist injured nationals and support the families of those who died.

The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata has opened a round-the-clock helpline to assist Bangladeshi citizens and their families following the incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy High Commission are maintaining close communication with the relevant Indian authorities as the response to the tragedy continues.

The fire occurred in an area frequently visited by people from Bangladesh, making the identification of victims and communication with their families particularly significant for the Bangladeshi authorities. For now, officials are continuing to verify information and coordinate with local authorities as the investigation and identification process progresses.