A blaze tore through a hotel in New Delhi on Tuesday, killing at least nine people, an official said, in the latest disaster to raise concerns over fire safety in India. The fire broke out before dawn at Hotel Arpit Palace in a congested part of central Delhi. "Nine people are dead including a woman and a child. Three people are injured," G.C. Misra, the director of Delhi Fire Services, told AFP. Misra said the blaze had been brought under control and that 35 people were rescued by firefighters in an hours-long operation. Local media reports said the woman and the child died as they tried to escape by jumping from a window. Images showed thick smoke and flames billowing out of the top floor of three-storey hotel, popular with budget travellers. Accidental fires are common across India because of poor safety standards and lax enforcement of regulations. In December, six people were killed when a fire engulfed a hospital in Mumbai, the capital of western Maharashtra state. In … [Read more...] about At least nine dead in India hotel fire: official
Lara india hotel varanasi
Millions in India gather for world’s largest religious event
The largest religious gathering anywhere on earth gets under way Tuesday, with tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims congregating in India to bathe in sacred rivers for the Kumbh Mela. Pilgrims travel from every corner of India for the ritual dip Organisers are expecting the enormous spiritual festival in Allahabad to attract more than 100 million devotees over the next 48 days, with seas of pilgrims camped by the riverside. The ancient city in northern Uttar Pradesh state rises alongside the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. The confluence of the three -- known as Sangam -- is considered especially holy and Hindus believe bathing there during the Kumbh helps cleanse sins and brings salvation. "This pilgrimage gives me peace of mind and an opportunity to reflect on my life," said Sangeeta Gangotri, a pilgrim who travelled 650 kilometres (403 miles) from Nagpur in western Maharashtra state to Allahabad. The riverbank has transformed into a riot of … [Read more...] about Millions in India gather for world’s largest religious event
More than 50 dead in India train disaster
A speeding train ran over revellers watching fireworks during a Hindu festival in northern India Friday, killing more than 50 people, with eyewitnesses saying they were given no warning before disaster struck. A crowd had gathered on railway tracks to watch a fireworks show when the train barrelled down the line at speed The crowd had gathered on railway tracks in the city of Amritsar in Punjab state to watch a fireworks show marking the Dussehra festival when the train barrelled down the line at high speed. "There was a lot of noise as firecrackers were being let off and it appears they (victims) were unable to hear the approaching train," a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. "There are more than 50 dead. The priority now is to take the injured to the hospital," Amritsar city police commissioner S. S. Srivastava told reporters. More than 60 people who were injured were being given emergency treatment at various hospitals across the city, he added. TV footage … [Read more...] about More than 50 dead in India train disaster
India flyover collapse kills 18 in Varanasi, more feared trapped under debris
At least 18 people died Tuesday (May 15) after a flyover collapsed in northern India, crushing vehicles and passengers under tonnes of concrete, a rescue official said. At least 18 people died Tuesday (May 15) after a flyover collapsed in northern India, crushing vehicles and passengers under tonnes of concrete, a rescue official said. Rescue workers rushed to the site in Varanasi city where an unknown number of people were still feared trapped under the debris, in the latest of a string of deadly construction accidents in India. "Eighteen bodies have been recovered so far by our teams. Seven teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are engaged in rescue operation which is underway," an official in the disaster control room told AFP. TV footage showed mangled vehicles trapped under heavy cement girders with huge crowds gathered around. A witness said a section of the flyover, which was still under construction, collapsed onto the street, crushing buses and cars. … [Read more...] about India flyover collapse kills 18 in Varanasi, more feared trapped under debris
India flyover collapse kills 18 in Varanasi
Bystanders gather at the site of a flyover collapse in Varanasi. — AFP PhotoViet Nam News LUCKNOW — At least 18 people died Tuesday after a flyover collapsed in northern India, crushing vehicles and passengers under tonnes of concrete, a rescue official said. Rescue workers rushed to the site in Varanasi city where an unknown number of people were still feared trapped under the debris, in the latest of a string of deadly construction accidents in India. “Eighteen bodies have been recovered so far by our teams. Seven teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are engaged in rescue operation which is underway,” an official in the disaster control room said. TV footage showed mangled vehicles trapped under heavy cement girders with huge crowds gathered around. A witness said a section of the flyover, which was still under construction, collapsed onto the street, crushing buses and cars. “I was near the flyover when it collapsed. At least four … [Read more...] about India flyover collapse kills 18 in Varanasi