Kolkata: A journalist and three members of his family were killed in a fire at a hotel in Kolkata, India. The deceased were identified as Debashis Dutta, 40, Kushtia correspondent for Ajker Patrika and Channel Nine, his wife Afsana Simmin, 25, their three-year-old child Swarna Shish Dutta and his father-in-law Akram Ali, 64.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dutta travelled to Kolkata to seek medical treatment for his ailing wife. He is survived by another eight-year-old daughter as well as his parents. Gazi Mahbub Rahman, former president of the Kushtia Press Club and editor of local newspaper Ajker Alo, stated that Dutta was serving as the executive editor of the newspaper and was also working as Kushtia correspondent for Channel 9 and Ajker Patrika.
Dutta’s residence is in Arouapara Rajarhat area of Kushtia town, while his father-in-law Akram Ali was from the Thanapara area. The fire claimed the lives of five Bangladeshi nationals among the nine victims reported, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs citing local authorities. The identities of the remaining victims have yet to be confirmed by local authorities.
The ministry further reported that six Bangladeshi nationals who were injured in the fire have been released from the hospital after receiving initial treatment.