At least nine people, including a child, were killed after a fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, eastern India, on Wednesday, local police said.
The blaze started at around 2.50am local time on the second floor of the hotel and was brought under control within an hour, according to a senior police officer who spoke to Reuters.
Around 30 people were safely evacuated from the building during the incident.
The officer said the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, although the exact cause has yet to be determined.
Local media reported that several people were injured, with at least six victims receiving treatment at hospitals.
ANI, citing the fire department, reported that some of those killed were Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment. NDTV, meanwhile, reported that all nine victims were from Bangladesh.
However, the senior police officer told Reuters that the nationalities of the deceased had not yet been confirmed.
The hotel is situated in a densely populated part of central Kolkata, an area known for budget accommodation and restaurants.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly blaze, including its cause and the identities of those who died.
