What Happened in the Kolkata Hotel Fire That Claimed 14 Lives?
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Synopsis
A tragic fire at a Kolkata hotel has resulted in the loss of 14 lives, prompting Prime Minister Modi to announce aid for victims' families. Rescues were made, and an investigation is underway. What led to this devastating incident?
Key Takeaways
- 14 fatalities reported due to hotel fire in Kolkata.
- PM Modi announced financial aid for victims' families.
- Investigation team formed to probe the incident.
- Most deaths attributed to smoke inhalation, not burns.
- Swift evacuation efforts saved many lives.
Kolkata, April 30 (NationPress) Tragically, a total of 14 individuals, including two children and a woman, lost their lives in a catastrophic fire that engulfed a six-storey hotel on Madan Mohan Burman Street in central Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the fatalities and has initiated an ex gratia payment scheme for the victims' families and the injured.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on X, PM Modi has declared an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased individual, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in the fire incident in Kolkata. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families. I wish for a swift recovery for those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh will be granted to the next of kin of each deceased, and the injured will receive Rs. 50,000: PM,” the post stated.
The fire has been contained, with Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma confirming that 14 bodies have been retrieved from the hotel premises.
“Several individuals have been successfully rescued from the hotel rooms,” Verma added.
The state government has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the incident. “The SIT members have commenced their investigation, and forensic team members will participate in the inquiry,” Verma stated.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the fire erupted on Tuesday night, initially being noticed when a staff member, Manoj Paswan, leaped from the hotel’s upper floors and tragically perished. Ten fire engines were dispatched to the scene to combat the flames and rescue those trapped inside.
The blaze was controlled in the early hours of Wednesday, with a total of 13 bodies recovered from the site.
All individuals trapped in the hotel have been safely evacuated, as confirmed by Kolkata's Mayor and West Bengal’s Municipal Affairs & Urban Development Minister, Firhad Hakim, who arrived at the location in the morning.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fatalities were not caused by burns but rather from choking on dense smoke in the building. This incident coincided with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attending the inauguration of a Lord Jagannath Temple modeled after the famous Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri, Odisha.
At the time of this report, there was no statement from the Chief Minister. However, the state BJP president and Union Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, expressed condolences for the tragic loss of life.
“While the Chief Minister is engaged in a day-long inauguration of Jagannath Dham in Digha, the death toll from this horrific fire in Kolkata continues to rise. This underscores the Chief Minister's insensitivity and failure. As innocent people suffer, she seems more focused on political gains than addressing their plight,” Majumdar remarked.
Point of View
It is crucial to approach this tragedy with sensitivity and a focus on accountability. The loss of life due to negligence in safety standards raises pressing questions that require thorough investigation. The community deserves answers and assurance that such incidents will be prevented in the future.
NationPress
17/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died in the Kolkata hotel fire?
The devastating fire resulted in the death of at least 14 individuals, including two children and one woman.
What compensation has been announced for the victims' families?
Prime Minister Modi announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000.
What caused the deaths in the fire?
Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were not burned but choked by thick smoke within the building.
Is there an investigation underway?
Yes, the state government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to thoroughly examine the incident.
What actions were taken by the fire department?
Ten fire engines were deployed to the scene, and they successfully rescued several individuals trapped inside the hotel.
