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Published : 18 May 2025, 03:19 PM
At least 17 people, including eight children, have died after a massive fire broke out in a building in India's Hyderabad.
The incident was reported in a building near Hyderabad's iconic Charminar early on Saturday morning, according to broadcaster NDTV.
While the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed, authorities suspect an electrical short circuit may have triggered the disaster, NDTV reports.
According to fire department officials, they received an emergency call around 6:30am. Eleven fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy visited the site and met with victims' families.
"I met the family members. Such incidents are very sad. I am not accusing anyone, but police, municipality, fire and electricity departments must be made stronger. I was told the firefighters today did not have proper equipment initially," he is quoted as saying by NDTV.
"We must bring better technology in the coming days. I will talk to the central government and the prime minister and try to get financial help for the families of those who died in this incident," he added.
The fire broke out in a densely packed commercial area lined with century-old jewellery shops, many of which are built wall-to-wall with narrow access routes.
"Another entry point was created and firefighters entered from there. Most of the people inside were unconscious," she said. "These are old establishments with some new construction. Only one narrow path leads to the area where the fire happened."
Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said all the bodies have been recovered and sent to hospitals. The state government will release full details shortly, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sorrow. "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the Indian Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP M Anil Kumar Yadav told NDTV the fire had been put out and that the rescue operations were still ongoing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sneha Mehra explained that the building had only one entry point, which hampered rescue efforts. “Another access point was created so firefighters could reach inside. Most victims were found unconscious,” she said.
Among the victims were four senior citizens -- Prahlad, Munni, Rajender Modi, and Sumitra. The children who died included Hamey, 7, Priyansh, 4, Iraaj, 2, Arushi, 3, Rishabh, 4, Pratham, 1, Anuyan, 3, and Iddu, 4, according to NDTV.
