This archive report was first published on 8 December 2019.
Published on December 8, 2019, a factory fire in New Delhi's old quarter has claimed the lives of at least 43 people, with many more feared trapped inside.
The fire broke out in the early hours in the city's congested lanes, where many small manufacturing and storage units are located.
"We have since rescued at least 50 people," said Sunil Choudhary, New Delhi's deputy chief fire officer. "They were labourers and factory workers sleeping inside this four or five storey building," he added.
Rescue operations were ongoing, with fire officials facing difficulties accessing the dark and poorly lit premises in the commercial hub of Sadar Bazar.
Local news channels aired footage of firemen carrying people out of the narrow lanes to nearby emergency vehicles.
Monika Bhardwaj, the deputy police commissioner of Delhi's north district, confirmed that the death toll had jumped to 43, with 16 others still admitted to local hospitals.
"Fire department has completed the rescue work. There are no more bodies at the site. We don't yet know the cause of fire but know that it was aggravated because of plastic packing pouches, bags and other such material there," Bhardwaj added.
