Overview

• The blaze broke out on Tuesday evening at the six-storey Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata, housing 88 guests in 42 rooms.
• Authorities report 14 fatalities, including two children, with most deaths caused by asphyxiation from thick smoke that engulfed the building.
• Preliminary investigations revealed critical safety failures, including blocked exits, poor ventilation, and non-functional fire extinguishing systems.
• A Special Investigation Team has been formed to determine the cause of the fire, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit, and to examine accountability for safety violations.
• Political leaders and residents demand stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations to prevent future tragedies in densely packed urban areas.