Delhi fire: PM Modi tweeted his condolences this morning
Highlights
- PM called the fire "horrific" and wished injured a speedy recovery
- Fire started in a factory at around 5 am; at least 50 people were inside
- Amit Shah, Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences this morning after a factory fire in Delhi killed more than 40 people and left several others injured. The Prime Minister, who called the fire "extremely horrific", said his thoughts were with the families of the victims and that the authorities had been instructed to provide all possible assistance. Home Minister Amit Shah, who tweeted minutes earlier about the "tragic loss of precious lives", said he would pray for the early recovery of the injured.
Officials believe the fire, which was reported at 5.22 am, broke out inside the workshop of a luggage-manufacturing factory. Thirty-five fire trucks were dispatched to fight the blaze, which has since been brought under control. Most of the victims were labourers who were sleeping at the factory; there were more than 50 people inside when the fire started.
"The fire in Delhi's Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road is extremely horrific. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a quick recovery. Authorities are providing all possible assistance at the site of the tragedy," Prime Minister Modi said.
The Prime Minister's Office also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to each of the families of those who died and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured.
"Tragic loss of precious lives in the fire accident in New Delhi. My deepest condolences with families of those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the early recovery of the injured. Have instructed concerned authorities to provide all possible assistance on urgent basis," Amit Shah wrote.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was saddened by the tragic news. The Chief Minister also said he would personally visit the site of the fire.
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted saying he was "extremely sad to hear the tragic news" and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was "hurt by the news of the death of (so) many people...".
Rescued people were rushed to various Delhi hospitals; the bodies of some of the victims were taken to LNJP Hospital where doctors said smoke inhalation was the primary cause of death. Some of the bodies were charred, news agency PTI reported.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have reached the area to aid in operations and check if anyone is still trapped inside the building.
The traffic police have asked people not to use Rani Jhansi flyover near New Delhi railway station as the road has been closed due to the incident.
Today's incident is the worst fire tragedy seen by the city since a similar incident in Bawana last year in which 17 labourers were charred to death.