Delhi fire: Pranab Mukherjee expresses sorrow, urges govt to offer all necessary help

After 43 people lost ir lives in a tragic fire that broke out in Delhi's Anaj Mandi, Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday, December 8, expressed sorrow over incident. Taking to microblogging website Twitter, Pranab Mukherjee wished victims a swift recovery and offered condolences to affected families.

READ | Delhi Fire LIVE Updates: 43 Dead, Over 60 Rescued; Delhi & Bihar Gov,PMO, BJP Anunce Aid

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief and described incident as 'horrific' and prayed for family of those killed in fire. He stated that authorities are providing all possible assistance at site of trdy.

READ | Delhi Fire: PMO Offers 2 Lakh Ex-gratia To Victims' Next Of Kin, Rs. 50, 000 To Injured

FIR filed against factory owner

Earlier in day, Delhi Police filed an FIR on owners and or renters who occupied factory premises. Delhi CP has transferred case to Crime branch. Forensic investigation is currently underway. Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Bharadwaj has confirmed that main owner of factory - Rehan is absconding. NDRF team too is currently on-site to help with rescue operations.

Briefing media on situation, Delhi police said, "re were a lot of plastic materials which were hindering our rescue efforts. Due to rising smoke from se plastics, most of deaths have occurred due to asphyxiation. When fire department and Delhi police tried to rescue m, two fire officers and 2 police officers have been hurt in operation due to smoke."

READ | BJP Leader Expresses Sorrow Over Delhi Anaj Mandi Fire, Blames Short Circuit

Delhi fire accident

Delhi Police stated that a major fire broke out at Anaj Mandi in Delhi in wee hours of Sunday morning - around 5:20 AM, killing almost 43 people. While over 60 people have been rescued, police sources state that most victims have lost consciousness due to rising smog. factory mainly produced plastic items housed several labourers and ir families - leading to higher burn injuries, state police. While over 30 fire tenders have been rushed to spot, rescue operation is underway. All victims who have been rescued by fire personnel (most manually) have been shifted to  LNJP and Lady Hardinge Hospitals. Initial probe points towards short circuit as cause of fire, report sources. 

READ | Delhi Fire: President Ram Nath Kovind Expresses Grief, Wishes Quick Recovery To Injured