14 killed as fire breaks out at Kolkata hotel

At least 14 people were killed in a fire at a hotel in central Kolkata, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 8 pm at Rituraj Hotel. 

The fire has been brought under control, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma told reporters. 

"14 bodies have been recovered and several people have been rescued. A special team has also been formed for the investigation," he said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

11 firefighting units worked to bring the blaze under control within 2 hours. However, the fire was completely doused at around 3am. 

The bodies were sent for autopsy. 

Union Minister and State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar had earlier urged the state administration to rescue the victims. He had called for "stricter monitoring" of fire safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

"I urge the state administration to immediately rescue those affected, ensure their safety, and provide them with necessary medical and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, I appeal for a thorough review and stricter monitoring of fire safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future," he said in a post on X.

Reacting to the incident, West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar also slammed the Kolkata Corporation.

"This is a tragic incident. A fire broke out...A lot of people are still stuck in the building. There was no safety or security...I don't know what the corporation is doing," Sarkar told ANI.