Fear Drives Bangladeshis to Leave Kolkata After Hotel Fire

A deadly hotel fire in Kolkata has triggered fear among Bangladeshi tourists, with many rushing to leave the Indian city amid a safety crackdown that has forced more than a dozen hotels to close.

Nine people, including seven Bangladeshis, were killed when a fire broke out at Shikha Inn on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata’s New Market area early Wednesday.

Following the incident, Kolkata authorities launched inspections of hotels and guesthouses across the area to assess compliance with fire safety regulations. Hotels found to have serious safety deficiencies are being ordered to shut down.

The move has left many tourists and patients seeking medical treatment in Kolkata struggling to find accommodation. Some Bangladeshis are preparing to return home earlier than planned, while others are moving from one area to another in search of new hotels.

New Market, Marquis Street, Sudder Street and Mirza Ghalib Street have long been popular with Bangladeshi visitors, particularly patients and their families seeking relatively affordable accommodation during medical trips.

Mohammad Khurshid Alam of Pabna, who was in Kolkata for business, changed hotels after the fire. He said his wife and parents, who were in Bangladesh, urged him to return home immediately after hearing about the incident.

The closure of hotels has created additional difficulties for visitors. Some tourists have reportedly been asked to leave their rooms at short notice. In some alternative hotels, guests have faced higher rates, with some rooms reportedly costing 1.5 to twice as much as before.

Bangladeshi families travelling to Kolkata for medical treatment are also facing additional financial pressure as accommodation costs rise. Some tourists have already brought forward their return travel plans.

Dhaka resident Ismail Sarkar said he did not want to get stranded amid the ongoing administrative inspections. He said he would consider visiting Kolkata again once the situation returns to normal.

Businesses in these Kolkata neighbourhoods depend significantly on Bangladeshi visitors. A prolonged decline in tourist numbers, along with hotel closures, could affect restaurants, transport services, shops and other businesses in the area.

Authorities say action against hotels violating fire safety regulations is necessary to protect lives.

Bangladeshi visitors, however, are hoping that authorities will ensure safety while also making adequate alternative accommodation available for tourists and patients affected by the closures.