A massive fire broke out in a factory around the Anaj Mandi area of North Delhi in the wee hours of Sunday morning, taking the lives of approximately 43 labourers. The fire is said to have started some time around 5:22 AM the exact cause is not known at this given point and is still being investigated.

Sources report that 15 fire vehicles were called in to douse the flames that had already proved fatal for at least 43 labourers (the current reported number) who were said to be sleeping inside the factory building at the time of the fire. The cause of deaths was mainly due to smoke inhalation. Many others have been injured and according to Kishore Singh, medical director, Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi the injuries aren’t serious and have been kept under observation.
Death toll rises to 43 in #Delhi fire incident, according to police #DelhiFire #delhifireaccident pic.twitter.com/v7rZeGIYzT
— Naxatra News (@NaxatraNewsOdia) December 8, 2019
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to express his condolences for the lives lost.
V v tragic news. Rescue operations going on. Firemen doing their best. Injured are being taken to hospitals. https://t.co/nWwoNB4u3Q
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 8, 2019
Other government officials too expressed their grief for the same.
Tragic loss of precious lives in the fire accident in New Delhi. My deepest condolences with families of those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the early recovery of the injured.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 8, 2019
Have instructed concerned authorities to provide all possible assistance on urgent basis.
दिल्ली के अनाज मंडी मे, भीषण आग लगने से कईयो की मौत और अनेक लोगों के घायल होने की खबर से आहत हूं ।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2019
मृतकों के परिवार के प्रति मैं अपनी गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के जल्द स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं।#delhifire
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2019
People took to Twitter to offer prayers and condolences for the people who lost their lives, while also lamenting on the lack of security measures and precautions for safekeeping the labourers housed inside the building.
This is just getting worse. Sending out prayers and hoping there are no more casualties. https://t.co/OgVvCo9iiI
— Gaurav Probir Pramanik (@gauravpramanik) December 8, 2019
Deeply hurt to hear the news of Anaj Mandi fire accident early morning today. More than 43 people are reported to be dead & nearly 40 are injured
— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) December 8, 2019
We will be reaching the accident site to help in any way possible. My sincere condolences to the grieving families #DelhiFire @ANI pic.twitter.com/c8EkGXd9O2
Saddened to hear about loss of lives in #AnajMandi #DelhiFire & other sad part is that everyone will express remorse but then it becomes business as usual till next accident due to lack of fire safety
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) December 8, 2019
Lack of administrative accountability has become poison pill for fire safety
Only condolences can never give back the families of the dead labourers what they have lost🙏. Also, immediate survey should be done across Delhi to find out unauthorised usage of residential premises for commercial premises. Life is more important than politics #delhifire
— Kuldeep Bishnoi (@bishnoikuldeep) December 8, 2019
Deeply disturbed to know about the tragic #DelhiFire incident that has killed more than 40 innocent lives.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 8, 2019
My deepest condolences to their families.
Deeply saddened to hear about the tragic fire incident at Anaj Mandi, Delhi. My condolences to the family of the people who lost their lives and prayers for recovery of those injured.#DelhiFire
— Subhash Chopra (@SChopraINC) December 8, 2019