43 killed in India factory fire

A massive fire broke out early morning in Anaj Mandi area of India's Delhi on Sunday in which at least 43 people have died so far, police have confirmed. Rescue and fire department officials have rescued several people, many of whom are critical.

Delhi Police has confirmed the huge death toll in the early morning fire in Delhi. Over 56 people have been injured in the fire, according to the last figure, reports India Today.

Fire department officials said they received a call in the morning about a fire and had no information about people trapped in the burning building, which caused delay in the rescue operations.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described the incident as "tragic" and said firemen were doing their best.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted saying, "The fire in Delhi’s Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road 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."

Authorities from the LNJP hospital have confirmed many of people who were brought to the hospital have died. Many of the rescued and injured have been rushed to RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge and Hindu Rao Hospital.

Sources said the building was packed with labourers who worked in different factories. Police have started looking for the owner of the building.

Over 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire and to carry out rescue operations.

Atul Garg, Chief Fire Officer, Delhi Fire Service said, "Till now we have rescued more than 50 people, most of them were affected due to smoke."

Many people were trapped inside the building when the fire broke out early morning. A call about the fire was received at 5:22 am following which 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, reported PTI.

Speaking to media, Deputy Fire Chief Officer Sunil Choudhary said, "A fire broke out in a 600 sq feet plot. It was very dark inside. It is a factory where school bags, bottles and other materials were kept."

Rescue operations are still on while the surrounding buildings in the area are being emptied.