Over 70 killed in Kolkata hospital fire, 'owners missing'

[Bosonic]

Source: Hindustan Times

At least 70 patients suffocated to death when a massive fire broke out in a centrally-airconditioned seven-storey private hospital in the metropolis today. Police and hospital sources said 70 people had died in the fire at the private 190-bed AMRI Hospital at Dhakuria in the southern fringes.

Earlier, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said 41 of the bodies had been brought to the state-run SSKM Hospital in South Kolkata.

"Twenty other bodies are still there in an upper floor of the AMRI hospital," she said.

Of the bodies taken to SSKM, autopsies have been completed on 36. "Twelve have been identified," she said.

Read more: http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/kolkata/Over-70-killed-in-Kolkata-hospital-fire-owners-missing/Article1-779821.aspx

[HereSince1628]

1. I wonder how many were medical tourist patients? n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Hospital officials in India arrested after 89 die in fire

Six hospital officials were arrested for culpable homicide after four staff members and 85 patients and their relatives died in a fire yesterday at their Kolkata facility.

State officials said most of the hospital staff fled the burning seven-storey building, abandoned the patients and failed to alert the fire and rescue department after the blaze started in the basement at 3.30am.
...
As rescuers scrambled to evacuate survivors, police accused the hospital of violating safety procedures. Among the six arrested were, RS Goenka, of the Emami Group, and SK Todi, of the Shrachi Group, on charges of culpable homicide. The Emami Group and the Shrachi Group are co-owners the hospital.
...
Authorities revoked the hospital's licence. Ms Banjeree said the facility had received repeated warnings in September from fire and safety officials who found flammable materials such as oxygen cylinders, old linen and radiation equipment being stored in the basement. Hospital officials were ordered to clean the basement.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/south-asia/hospital-officials-in-india-arrested-after-89-die-in-fire

[saras]

3. It sounds like the whole staff were culpable criminals - scary.