Many Bangladeshi tourists are hurriedly leaving hotels in Kolkata and returning home after a devastating fire at Hotel Shikha Inn on Mirza Ghalib Street near New Market killed nine people, including seven Bangladeshis. The August 23 report said the deaths have created fear and anger among residents, businesses and visitors in Kolkata’s well-known hotel district.

The area, spanning Sudder Street, Marquis Street, Lindsay Street, Mirza Ghalib Street and Free School Street, is popular with Bangladeshi medical travellers because of relatively low-cost lodging and nearby money-exchange services, bus counters and food stalls. Visitors and local accounts alleged widespread illegal hotels, inadequate licensing, narrow access routes, absent fire exits, unsafe electrical wiring and a lack of fire-safety audits.

Tourists also cited visa complications, brokers and long waits at the Benapole border, with some considering Chennai, Vellore, China or Nepal for treatment instead. Authorities have formed an investigation committee to examine the legality of hotels and guesthouses in the area. Municipal, fire-service and electricity officials have begun stricter action, while owners of illegal establishments are reported to be worried.