Over 40 people die in major Delhi fire

The death toll in a fire incident in Delhi on Sunday morning has reached 43, reported news agency Asian News International (ANI) quoting local police sources.

The fire broke out inside a four storey building in north Delhi’s “Filmistan” area. Most of those died were migrant labourers from the country’s eastern state of Bihar, and were asleep when the fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday.

The labourers were engaged in making school-bags and packing boxes using plastic material and paper. They worked inside the building during the day and slept there at night, eyewitnesses told the media.

The fire broke out due to a short-circuit, an eyewitness told a TV channel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. He tweeted “The fire in Delhi 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.”