Building fire, 27 people died because there was no way out

A fire broke out at a 4-storey building in Mundka, a western suburb of the Indian capital New Delhi on the afternoon of May 13. More than 30 fire engines and ambulances quickly appeared on the scene.

Images on Indian television showed smoke billowing from the building’s windows, while firefighters tried to spray water to put out the flames and help people trapped on the upper floors to escape.

Building fire, 27 people died because there was no way out

“We have taken 27 bodies out of the building and 20 injured are being treated,” said Satpal Bharadwaj, fire chief at the scene, adding that about 70 people were in the building when the fire broke out. go up.

“There is no emergency exit inside the building, most of the victims died from smoke inhalation,” he explained, adding that an update would be made after the autopsy was completed.

Delhi Fire Department deputy director Sunil Choudhary later announced that more than 25 people had been injured, some of whom risked their lives by jumping from windows.

Police said the fire broke out on the first floor of the building, which houses the offices of a company that manufactures surveillance cameras. Amit Mahajan, whose cousin and nephew went missing after the fire, said the two had come here to “train staff”.

“I have visited the hospitals recently but can’t find my relatives. We don’t know how they are now,” Mahajan said.

Fires are common in India due to poor construction quality, lack of compliance with safety regulations and dense construction. Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi offered condolences on Twitter.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in the tragic fire in Delhi. My condolences to the family of the victim and hope for a speedy recovery to those injured,” he wrote.

Hong Hanh (According to AFP/Reuters)