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Delhi factory fire: More than 40 dead in India blaze | Delhi factory fire: More than 40 dead in India blaze |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A large fire has swept through a bag factory in the Indian capital Delhi, killing 43 workers, officials say. | |
The blaze broke out at the four-storey building in the city's congested old quarter early on Sunday morning. | |
At least 100 people were sleeping inside the factory, which mainly makes school bags, when the fire started. More than 60 have been rescued. | |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the fire "horrific" and sent his condolences. | |
Delhi's firefighters received the first call about the fire at 05:22 local time on Sunday (23:52 GMT Saturday). | Delhi's firefighters received the first call about the fire at 05:22 local time on Sunday (23:52 GMT Saturday). |
The fire began on the lower storeys, spreading rapidly to the third floor where workers were sleeping. | |
The area where the factory is located - Azad Market - has many narrow alleyways, which made it difficult to reach the blaze. Rescuers had to carry out victims on their shoulders one-by-one. | |
It is not clear what caused the blaze but an investigation has been ordered. One witness blamed a short circuit. | |
Scores of injured people are now being treated in the city's hospitals. | Scores of injured people are now being treated in the city's hospitals. |
Victims' relatives have been scrambling for information. One man told India's PTI agency his brother was inside. | |
"I got a call from his friend informing that he has been injured in the incident. I have no clue which hospital he has been taken to," he said. | |
Indian cities have often seen deadly fires, with poor planning and lax enforcement of safety regulations major factors. | |
Indian politicians have been expressing their horror at the blaze. | |
"The fire in Delhi's Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road is extremely horrific," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. | |
"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." | |
Home Minister Amit Shah called it a "tragic loss of precious lives". |