The flames had yet to be brought under control and authorities did not know if there were still people trapped inside.
Local television channels showed patients being rolled out on stretchers and distraught relatives waiting outside the hospital as a thick layer of smoke engulfed the seven-storey building.
"I still don't have the details of the casualties, but the toll is very high. We have already transferred at least 40 dead bodies," the Chief Minister of West Bengal state, Mamata Banerjee, said.
Two dozen fire trucks were sent to douse the blaze and evacuate the building, but thick smoke hindered rescue operations, officials said.
"The hospital is such that neither the ladders nor the fire brigades could get through ... so the rescue operations got a little delayed and in that time the smoke had risen up to the higher levels," Firhad Hakim, the state's Urban Development Minister, told reporters.
Authorities believe the fire started in the early hours in the basement where flammable materials such as oxygen cylinders were stored.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Ali, your comments , as usually , in bad taste. There were 23 cranes and 21 fire-engines that were pressed into service. The hospital authorities, never called the fire-brigade and the delay led to loss of lives. Sad very sad.
What a shame world power doesnot have cranes even barrow some from pakistan ,,,,,,,
In utter silence I share the grief of this painful tragedy, hearty condolences, deep regrets and wishing all the injured a speedy recovery!
rip to dead. and thanks to pakistanis for having bigger heart. 30 years of communist rule in west bengal created such institutions which dos what they are not supposed to do
Feel sad for the loss of precious lives. What were the indian fire authorities doing? and India calls itself a future superpower? Daydreams.
May our dead brothers in India rest in peace and may God provide comfort to their dear ones.
Extremely sad news. Imagine how the patients were tyring to get rid of that killing fire. My goodness.
May God rest their souls in peace and may the injured get speedy recovery!
very sad ... my grandmother was treated there few years ago