Nine Bangladeshi Nationals Killed in Kolkata Hotel Fire, Investigation On
A fire that broke out at a hotel in central Kolkata in the early hours of Wednesday (August 19, 2026) claimed the lives of nine Bangladeshi nationals, a senior Kolkata Police official said. Six others were injured, and at least 15 people were rescued by firefighters, according to officials.
The blaze occurred at Hotel Shikhali, located in a multi-storey building on Mirza Ghalib Street in the New Market area. The fire started around 2 a.m. and is now under control. Preliminary investigation indicated the nine victims died of suffocation due to dense smoke that filled the staircases and upper floors.
The deceased were identified as Bangladeshi nationals who were reportedly in Kolkata for medical treatment. Their identities have not been officially released pending notification of their families. The injured have been admitted to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
A case has been registered at the New Market Police Station against the owner of Hotel Shikhali. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and a joint investigation by the police and fire department is underway. Forensic teams have been called in to examine the site.
West Bengal Fire Minister Kaushik Chowdhury visited the location to assess the situation and inspected the relief work. He assured that the state government would extend all possible support to the families of the victims and ensure proper medical care for the injured.
A police officer involved in the rescue operation said that the dense smoke posed a major challenge to firefighters. "It was difficult for firefighters to climb the staircase and reach the upper floors. While nine people have died, more deaths are feared," he told PTI during the operation. However, subsequent searches confirmed the death toll at nine.
The incident comes just two days after another deadly fire at a hotel in Tarapith, Birbhum district, killed at least nine people. Following that fire, at least 15 hotels in the Tarapith area were sealed and ordered to stop operations after several safety protocol violations were reported. The Kolkata fire has once again highlighted concerns over enforcement of fire safety norms in smaller hotel establishments.
Local residents claimed the building housed multiple hotels and had narrow exit routes, but these statements have not been officially verified. The police have appealed to the public to refrain from speculation and allow authorities to complete a thorough investigation.
Further details, including the cause of the fire and the complete list of victims, are awaited.
