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India: 'Many die' in Calcutta hospital fire India: 'Many die' in Calcutta hospital fire
(40 minutes later)
At least 20 people are feared dead in a fire that broke out in a hospital in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta (Kolkata), officials say. At least 35 people have been killed in a fire that broke out in a hospital in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta (Kolkata), officials say.
At least 40 patients are reported to have been trapped after the flames spread through the AMRI hospital in the southern part of the city. Most of the victims were patients who were trapped after the flames spread through the AMRI hospital in the southern part of the city.
The fire broke out in the basement of the hospital early on Friday, officials say. The fire broke out in the basement of the hospital early on Friday, officials said.
Fire engines fought the blaze for five hours before bringing it under control.Fire engines fought the blaze for five hours before bringing it under control.
Rescue workers are trying to reach the upper floors of the six-storey hospital in Dhakuria to rescue patients. The fire is among the deadliest in Calcutta in recent years.
"Patients have suffocated on the fumes. Many have lost their lives," West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim told reporters. Officials say the death toll is likely to rise as rescue workers are trying to reach the upper floors of the six-storey hospital in Dhakuria.
A number of patients have been rescued, and moved to other hospitals. "Patients have suffocated on the fumes," West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim told reporters.
A number of patients have been rescued, and moved to other hospitals in the city.
'Grim situation''Grim situation'
"We have shifted 50 patients to an adjacent hospital. The situation is grim at the moment," fire brigade chief Gopal Bhattacharya told the AFP news agency."We have shifted 50 patients to an adjacent hospital. The situation is grim at the moment," fire brigade chief Gopal Bhattacharya told the AFP news agency.
The BBC's Amitabh Bhattashali in Calcutta says bodies of patients wrapped in white sheets have been brought out by rescue workers. The BBC's Amitabha Bhattashali in Calcutta says bodies of patients wrapped in white sheets have been brought out by rescue workers.
Local people climbed into the hospital compound to rescue patients before the fire brigade arrived, our correspondent adds. Local people climbed into the hospital compound to rescue patients before fire engines arrived, our correspondent adds.
Mr Hakim said the fire broke out in the basement of the hospital, which was being used as a store for flammable items.Mr Hakim said the fire broke out in the basement of the hospital, which was being used as a store for flammable items.
The fire spread swiftly to the upper floors of the private hospital.The fire spread swiftly to the upper floors of the private hospital.
TV pictures showed patients in gurneys being rescued and distraught relatives of trapped patients. Thick smoke was coming out of the lower floors.TV pictures showed patients in gurneys being rescued and distraught relatives of trapped patients. Thick smoke was coming out of the lower floors.
One rescued patient said: "The attendants woke me up and dragged me down the stairs. I saw 10-15 patients at the top of the stairs trying to get down."One rescued patient said: "The attendants woke me up and dragged me down the stairs. I saw 10-15 patients at the top of the stairs trying to get down."
More than 40 people died in a huge fire in a historic building in Calcutta in March last year.
Fires in high-rise buildings are fairly common in the city. There have been at least 10 major incidents since 2008.
Electrical short circuits have been responsible for most of these fires.
Are you in Calcutta? Did you witness the fire? You can send your comments to the BBC using the form below:Are you in Calcutta? Did you witness the fire? You can send your comments to the BBC using the form below:
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