No fewer than 17 people died after a fire ripped through a building in the Indian city of Hyderabad, local officials said Sunday.
The inferno broke out early Sunday morning in a three-storey building that houses a jewellery store.
The fire disaster response emergency and civil defence agency in southern Telangana state, where Hyderabad is located, said they received the call for assistance shortly after 6 a.m. local time (00:30 GMT).
“The fire broke out on the ground floor and spread to the upper floors. Firefighting and search & rescue operations were carried out simultaneously,” it said.
The statement also disclosed the names of the 17 individuals who lost their lives.
“The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation,” it said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep grief” for the loss of life and promised compensation of 200,000 rupees (about $2,300) to each victim’s next of kin.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana,” Modi said in a statement released by his office.
“Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”
Infernos are widespread in India as a result of poor construction techniques, overpopulation, and a failure to follow safety rules.
Last month, a fierce inferno broke out in a Kolkata hotel, killing at least fifteen people. Some people clambered out of windows and onto the rooftop to escape.
Last year, at least 24 people died when an inferno broke out at a packed amusement park arcade in the western state of Gujarat.
