Deadly Blaze Rips Through Indian Hospital

More than 70 people have been killed in a fire at a hospital in Kolkata, in the east Indian state of West Bengal.

The blaze started in the early hours of the morning in the basement of the private AMRI hospital but spread quickly to the upper floors.

It is suspected the fire was started by sparks from the electrical department. Dozens of patients have been rescued but many of the victims could not be reached in time.

Many of the dead suffocated as thick, acrid, black smoke spread through the building. Some of the bodies have been found but others remain inside.

Firefighters are now trying to locate a number of oxygen cylinders because it is feared there could be secondary explosions.

It has emerged that it took firefighters two hours to react after the alarm was raised.

Fire services minister Javed Khan said the flames spread because of stocks of highly combustible material and that it was still not under control.

The hospital also did not have proper firefighting equipment, he said.

Angry relatives have been arriving at the hospital and throwing stones at police because they claim they are not being given enough information.

Hospital staff have said a total of 160 patients were in the building when the fire broke out.

Khokon Chakravathi, among the distraught relatives gathered outside to follow the rescue operation, said: "My mother is in the intensive care unit.

"She's 70-years-old. I don't know if she is alive or not."