Hyderabad, May 18: In a horrific incident, at least 17 people, including a seven-year-old girl and several women, were killed in a massive fire that broke out in a building near Hyderabad's iconic Charminar this morning.
Though the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, it is suspected that a short circuit might have caused the tragedy.
According to fire department officials, they got a call at around 6:30 am and rushed to the scene. Eleven fire engines worked to put out the fire, and the injured were taken to hospitals.
As per reports, the incident occurred in an area with a row of jewelry shops, very close to the famous Charminar. Many of these shops are over 100 years old and are tightly packed together, sharing walls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish by the loss of lives in the fire and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. He also announced that each injured person would be given Rs 50,000.
"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 PMO said in a post on ‘X’.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident and instructed officials to increase relief efforts and make sure the injured receive the best treatment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sneha Mehra said that the building had only one entry point. "We created another entry, and firefighters went in from there. Most people inside were unconscious," she said.
"These are old buildings with some new construction, and there's only one narrow path to the area where the fire started."
