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India: Delhi fire kills 14 at eunuchs' gathering | India: Delhi fire kills 14 at eunuchs' gathering |
(2 days later) | |
At least 14 people have been killed and more than 40 others injured in a fire at a gathering of eunuchs in the Indian capital, Delhi. | At least 14 people have been killed and more than 40 others injured in a fire at a gathering of eunuchs in the Indian capital, Delhi. |
The fire broke out on Sunday evening when a three-day convention of eunuchs was about to end. | The fire broke out on Sunday evening when a three-day convention of eunuchs was about to end. |
It is thought that a short circuit in the electricity line sparked off the fire which then spread to the makeshift tent under which people had gathered. | It is thought that a short circuit in the electricity line sparked off the fire which then spread to the makeshift tent under which people had gathered. |
Local people helped put out the fire and took the injured to the hospital. | Local people helped put out the fire and took the injured to the hospital. |
The gathering at Nand Nagri in east Delhi was being attended by hundreds of eunuchs from all over India and neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal, reports said, at a convention held once every five years. | The gathering at Nand Nagri in east Delhi was being attended by hundreds of eunuchs from all over India and neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal, reports said, at a convention held once every five years. |
There are hundreds of thousands of eunuchs across South Asia. The term is used to refer to transvestites, transsexuals and people who see themselves as neither male nor female. | |
Many make a living by dancing at weddings and other ceremonies, but they face significant discrimination and live on the margins of society. | Many make a living by dancing at weddings and other ceremonies, but they face significant discrimination and live on the margins of society. |
"We were performing evening prayers and many of us were also having food when there was an electrical short circuit in a chandelier. The sparks triggered off a fire and in no time the tents were engulfed by the blaze," Komal, a participant, told The Hindu newspaper. | "We were performing evening prayers and many of us were also having food when there was an electrical short circuit in a chandelier. The sparks triggered off a fire and in no time the tents were engulfed by the blaze," Komal, a participant, told The Hindu newspaper. |
Fire brigade officials said they pulled out 12 charred bodies from the gutted tents. Two people succumbed to burn injuries later in hospital. | Fire brigade officials said they pulled out 12 charred bodies from the gutted tents. Two people succumbed to burn injuries later in hospital. |
The Delhi government is investigating allegations that the organisers of the gathering had not sought permission from the fire department. | The Delhi government is investigating allegations that the organisers of the gathering had not sought permission from the fire department. |