A major fire in a commercial building in the Indian capital Delhi has claimed at least 21 lives. Among the dead are foreign nationals. The UK has confirmed it is deploying consular staff to the scene.
The cause remains under investigation. The blaze broke out in the early hours in the Old Delhi neighbourhood, a district of congested lanes and poorly regulated industrial units.
Initial reports from Indian authorities indicate the fire started on the ground floor of a multi-story building housing workshops and storage. The death toll rose through the morning as rescue workers searched debris.
The British Foreign Office said it was providing consular support to those affected. Its statement offered no further details.
Fires in Indian cities often highlight failures in building safety and firefighting infrastructure. Delhi has experienced several such incidents.
The Delhi Fire Service said it took four hours to bring the blaze under control. Survivors described chaos as flames spread rapidly. Emergency services reported injuries in addition to fatalities.
The Indian Prime Minister expressed condolences and announced compensation for victims' families. An inquiry has been ordered.
