Twenty-seven people died in an accidental fire in New Delhi on Friday May 13, Indian emergency services announced. “The fire is now out. The total number of dead is 27. Search operations are in progress”said a fire department official.
The third floor of the building has yet to be searched and more bodies may be found there, CNN-News18 said, citing Delhi firefighters.
Building owner arrested
More than 40 people suffered burns and were hospitalized. About 60 to 70 people were rescued from the building, police said. The fire broke out in the late afternoon on the first floor, which houses the offices of a company manufacturing security cameras and routers. the Times of India said the owner of the building had been arrested.
Terrible news. At least 20 dead in a fire at this building in Delhi’s Mundka area this evening. pic.twitter.com/RoCNRNjoDh
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) May 13, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences to the relatives of the victims. “Extremely saddened by the loss of life due to a tragic fire in Delhi. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”he wrote.
Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a tragic fire in Delhi. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2022