NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 8
A major fire that broke out through a factory in Anaj Mandi area of north Delhi in the early hours on Sunday morning, left 43 labourers dead and several others injured, police said.
The Delhi government has ordered a probe into the incident and has sought a detailed report within a week.
The death toll is likely to climb as many of the injured have suffered grievous injuries, according to fire and police departments.
As many as 59 people were inside the factory operating from a residential area when the blaze broke out.
A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the spot and was searching the factory to find out if any more people were trapped.
The fire was reported at 5:22 AM following which 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
Chaotic scenes were witnesed at the site of the fire incident with relatives and locals rushing to the area.
fire broke out in a 600 sq feet plot. It was very dark inside. It is a factory where school bags, bottles and other materials were kept, deputy chief officer Sunil Choudhary said.
Many people trapped inside were rescued and rushed to RML Hospital, LNJP and Hindu Rao Hospital, fire officials said. 34 people were brought dead to LNJP hospital and smoke inhalation was the primary cause of the death. Some of the bodies were charred, Dr Kishore Singh, Medical Superintendent, LNJP, said. Out of the 15 injured brought to LNJP, nine people are under observation and others have partial injuries, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the fire incident as extremely horrific and said authorities are providing all possible assistance at the site of the tragedy.
“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,” the prime minister said in a tweet.
President Kovind Tweets
Extremely sad to hear the tragic news about fire in Delhi’s Anaz Mandi. My thoughts and prayers are with affected families. Wishing an early recovery to those injured. The local authorities are doing their best to rescue people and provide help.
Rs 10 Lakh Ex-gratia to families: Kejriwal
“It is a very sad incident. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into it. Compensation Rs 10 lakhs each to be given to families of those dead and Rs 1 lakh each to those injured. The expense of medical treatment of those injured to be borne by the government.”
BJP announces Rs 5 Lakh help for the victims
The Bharatiya Janata Party has announced a help of Rs 5 lakh to the victims’ family who lost their lives in the incident. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, while speaking to media at the site of the incident, said that the party has decided to help the families of those who died with Rs 5 lakh and those who suffered injuries by Rs 25,000.
Sonia expressed shock
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has expressed deep shock. Expressing her deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of over four dozen deceased in the tragic accident, Mrs Gandhi hoped that maximum lives will be saved and those injured are treated expeditiously, said a Congress press release. She urged upon the authorities of central and state governments to provide every assistance to victims and their families. Congress chief has also asked Congress leaders and workers to assist the authorities in every manner possible.
