Ahmed Babu was supposed to return home in Savar today after a routine business trip to India’s Kolkata.

Instead, his family received the devastating news that the 37-year-old cosmetics trader was among nine people killed in a fire at a hotel in the Indian city early today.

Babu, son of Adam Ali of Begunbari in Amin Bazar, owned Cute Cosmetics at Amin Bazar Zamindar Market. He was the father of a 12-year-old daughter, Roza, and a six-year-old son, Swoad.

According to his family, Babu regularly travelled to Kolkata to buy cosmetics for his shop. He left for the West Bengal capital on August 17 and was scheduled to return to Bangladesh today.

When this correspondent visited his home around 4:00pm, grief had engulfed the neighbourhood.

Relatives and neighbours had gathered at the house after news of Babu’s death spread. His mother and wife wept as they held his two children, while those around them tried to offer comfort.

Babu’s elder brother, Mohammad Ali, said he had spoken to him only a day earlier.

“I spoke to him yesterday [Tuesday]. He was supposed to return to Bangladesh today. But around 11:00am today, someone called and told me that my brother had died in a hotel fire in Kolkata,” he said.

“At first, I could not believe it. Later, I confirmed his death after seeing photographs sent by journalists.”

Mohammad Ali urged the government to take immediate steps to bring his brother’s body back to Bangladesh.

Lavlu Mia, an employee at Babu’s shop, remembered him as a kind and courteous man.

“He would regularly travel to Kolkata to buy goods for our shop. He was a good-natured and polite person,” Lavlu said.

At least five Bangladeshi nationals have been identified among the nine people killed in a fire at a hotel in central Kolkata early today, according to the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.