Rescuers combed through a charred building in western Delhi for survivors on Saturday (May 14), in the aftermath of a fire that authorities said killed at least 27 people.
More than 75 people were in the four-storey building housing a manufacturing unit for surveillance cameras when the fire broke out on Friday (May 13) evening. Some jumped from windows to save themselves, according to eyewitnesses, and firefighters broke the glass and rescued people with ropes.
Relatives of missing people were seen at the site, with some holding up mobile phones displaying photos of loved ones. Manoj Kumar, who could not locate his wife after the fire, said he had enquired at several hospitals but was unable to obtain any information.
Authorities said they were not facing any problems in their search, adding that the fire had started in an office on the first floor and spread rapidly. Two owners of the company were arrested as part of a probe to identify suspected safety violations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences in a social media post, writing that he was “extremely saddened by the loss of lives”.
(Production: Afiq Satikin, Kokkai Ng)