Massive Fire in Kolkata’s AMRI Hospital Killed Many People

Number of Dead bodies killed in Kolkata AMRI hospital fire increasing. At least 73 people, including three hospital staff, were killed and several others injured in a massive fire that broke out at the AMRI hospital in south Kolkata early this morning. There were 160 people inside the hospital when the fire began.

The fire, suspected to have originated in the electrical department in the basement of the AMRI hospital, swiftly spread to the first and second floors, trapping patients, with the fire brigade called in at 4:00 am.

Dead bodies are being moved to the SSKM Hospital; families have been asked to identify their relatives before post-mortems are conducted. Through the morning, firemen were seen using ropes and ladders to enter the different floors of the hospital; some windows had to be smashed.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation and ordered an FIR against the hospital authorities. She said “They will be arrested. We will take strict action against the hospital.” She also gave orders for immediate cancellation of the hospital’s license.

The hospital authority, however, has pledged a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased patients.

AMRI helpline number: 99932215296