A honeymoon trip to Darjeeling turned into a horrific nightmare for a newlywed couple from West Bengal. Nikita, who got married just a month ago, suffered severe burn injuries after a barbecue fire engulfed her at a homestay in Sittong. A CCTV footage of the horrific incident has since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage over safety standards at tourist accommodations.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to reports, the couple, hailing from Chopra in the North Dinajpur district, had requested a barbecue facility on the night of September 13. CCTV visuals show the couple sitting comfortably next to the setup around 8:30 PM. Suddenly, a homestay employee is seen throwing an unidentified fluid onto the fire to stoke the flames, triggering an instant, violent flare-up.
Husband Alleges Negligence
The flames immediately caught Nikita, causing her to collapse to the floor as her husband Souvik rushed to her rescue. Souvik, who also sustained burns on his hand, alleged that there was a complete lack of emergency preparedness at the homestay. He stated that they had to wait for hours to arrange transport to Siliguri for primary medical treatment.
"My wife sustained 60 per cent burns. There was no facility for primary treatment in the homestay. We had to wait for hours to get a car and bring my wife to Siliguri. I want justice." — Souvik Das, Husband
Police Investigation Underway
Souvik has lodged a formal police complaint regarding the incident. Senior police officials confirmed that an inquiry is underway to examine the negligence of the homestay staff and management. Meanwhile, the victim continues to receive medical treatment for her severe injuries.
