Tragic Hotel Fire in Kolkata Claims Lives of Bangladeshi Nationals: India Responds

A devastating hotel fire in Kolkata has claimed the lives of nine individuals, predominantly Bangladeshi nationals. India's High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi, expressed condolences and assured that necessary measures would be taken in response to this tragedy. The incident has sparked discussions about safety and negligence, with West Bengal's Chief Minister criticizing the previous administration. As India and Bangladesh continue to strengthen their ties, the focus remains on addressing the aftermath of this unfortunate event. Read on for more details about the victims and the diplomatic responses.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 20, 2026, 19:30 IST

India's Commitment to Address Tragedy

Dhaka: Dinesh Trivedi, India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of Bangladeshi lives in a hotel fire in Kolkata, as reported by local news outlets.

During a press briefing after meeting with Bangladesh's Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sakhawat Hossain, Trivedi stated, "This is a very unfortunate incident. We will certainly take all necessary actions."

Hossain characterized the meeting as a courtesy visit, noting that the topic of the fire and the fatalities was not addressed, according to reports from Bangladeshi media.

Preliminary reports indicate that a significant fire erupted at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata early Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals, including a child and a woman.

On Thursday, Kolkata police released the names of the nine victims who perished in the fire.

Among the deceased, seven were Bangladeshi nationals, while one hailed from Giridih in Jharkhand and another from Siliguri in Darjeeling.

The police also provided the passport details of the seven Bangladeshi victims. The group included six males, two females, and one child.

Notably, four of the Bangladeshi victims were from the same family: Debasish Dutta (39), his wife Afsana Shirmiin (27), their young son Swarnasish Dutta, and Afsana's father, Mohammad Akram Ali (74).

This family had traveled to Kolkata for Akram's medical treatment and were residents of Kushtia district in Bangladesh.

The fifth Bangladeshi victim was identified as Babu Ahmed (37) from Dhaka, while the other two victims, Rebati Sarker and M Alimuzzaman, were from Kaliganj, Bangladesh. Their ages have not been disclosed.

Local media reported that Alimuzzaman and Rebati had traveled to Kolkata for medical care and tragically lost their lives in the fire.

West Bengal's Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, criticized the previous Mamata Banerjee-led government, attributing the fire incident to ongoing negligence and carelessness.

In a separate engagement, the Indian High Commissioner met with Bangladesh's Finance Minister, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, to discuss economic collaboration and development initiatives between the two nations.

Following their meeting, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka shared on social media: "High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Minister of Finance and Planning of Bangladesh, Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and held discussions on matters of mutual interest such as economic cooperation and bilateral development projects between India and Bangladesh."

High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, H. E. Mr. Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain on 20 August 2026.

Both sides discussed issues of mutual benefit and mutual interest to further people-to-people cooperation… pic.twitter.com/Xro75Zs8du

— India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) August 20, 2026