3 Bangladeshi tourists killed in Srinagar houseboat fire

Three Bangladeshi nationals, who were killed in a Srinagar houseboat fire in India on Saturday, had gone to India for medical check-up.

Those who died were identified as Aninda Koushal, executive engineer, Imon Das Gupta, sub-divisional engineer of Rangamati Public Works Department and Mainuddin, contractor of the department.

All of them went to India on November 3 for medical check-up and Ajmer Sharif and then went to Kashmir, said Lelin Chakma, deputy assistant engineer of Rangamati Public Works Department.

Of them, Aninda hailed from Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram and a cadre of 30th BCS. He was also a father of one son and one daughter, he said.

Swapan Kumar Nath, father of Aninda, said he left for India to visit pilgrim sites and he was scheduled to return home within two or one day. “The local administration in India has not contacted yet,” he said.

The bodies were discovered, according to the police, several hours after a large fire early in the morning destroyed numerous houseboats on the lake, turning them to ashes, reports NDTV.

The Bangladeshi nationals were staying at the Safeena houseboat on the lake, it said.

According to the police, the fire started at a houseboat close to Dal Lake's Ghat-9 and rapidly spread, engulfing several houseboats.

Officials said at least five houseboats have been destroyed and several others have sustained damage.

The cause of the fire is still unclear, said police.