Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 18 (ANI): Congress MP Anil Kumar Yadav on Sunday said that Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is in contact with the families of the victims affected by the tragic fire incident. He further stated that the administration is closely monitoring the rescue operation and that he would be visiting the hospital to meet the injured.

According to Telangana Fire Disaster Response Emergency and Civil Defence, at least 17 people lost their lives in the fire that broke out early Sunday morning at a building housing the Krishna Pearls shop and a residential complex near Charminar.

Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, '17 members of a family were stuck in the fire accident. The fire department reached here immediately... The Chief Minister is in touch with the family members. Ponnam Prabhakar and all of us are monitoring the rescue operation here. We are now going to the hospital to check on the injured...'

In a recent development, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragic fire mishap that occurred near Gulzar House in the Old City of Hyderabad.

He instructed the top officials to take all necessary measures to save the families trapped in the fire accident; the Chief Minister issued orders to shift the injured to nearby hospitals and provide better medical treatment.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was 'deeply anguished' by the loss of lives in the fire at a building at Hyderabad's Gulzar House early this morning.

The PM also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the mishap, from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, to the kin of the deceased as per the Prime Minister's Office.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office wrote, '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.'

A total of 11 fire engines were dispatched to the spot to bring the blaze under control.

Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar says, 'The fire broke out around 6 am, and by 6:16 am, the fire department of the Telangana government was present at the spot. They tried to save everyone. But the fire had spread massively... The majority of the people inside the building have died. The Chief Minister has spoken to the family (who were living in the building that caught fire). The state government will fully support the family. We will conduct a thorough review to ensure fire safety and avoid any such incidents in the future. The public also has to support the fire department in this.' (ANI)