Sunday 8 December, in Delhi, the firefighters received the first call about a fire at 05:22 (local time).
The blaze broke out at a four-storey building, in the city’s old quarter. At least 100 workers were sleeping inside the factory – Azad Market. Officials said that 43 of them were killed.
According to a local fire chief, the building was operating illegally as a factory and didn’t have a proper fire licence. The owner of this factory, Rehan, had been arrested. Indian cities are known for their deadly fires due to poor planning and lax enforcement of safety regulations.
We don’t know what caused the blaze but an investigation has been ordered. Eyewitnesses suggested a short circuit.
The factory is located in a web of narrow alleyways, which made it difficult to reach the blaze. That’s why firefighters had to carry out victims on their shoulders one-by-one to get them out of there.
Rajesh Shukla, one firefighter, rescued 11 people while suffering from injuries himself. He was acclaimed as a hero.
Ronak Khan, a 17-year-old living next to the factory said: « We woke up with cries and shouts for help. » « I saw people trapped. We asked them to come to the rooftop so that we could rescue them but they were not able to come up. »
A man, Mohammed Haider, lost his brother who worked in the factory: “I had never thought that my brother would be separated from me this way. Even when the fire started, he called me and said, ‘Brother, please save me’. But I could not save him.”
Another man had a brother who works in the factory: “I got a call from his friend informing that he has been injured in the incident. I have no clue which hospital he has been taken to”, he said.
Several Indian politicians have been expressing their horror about the blaze.
“The fire (…) is extremely horrific » « My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a quick recovery.” tweeted Prime Minister Modi.
Amit Shah, Home Minister said that is a “tragic loss of precious lives”.
The blaze broke out at a four-storey building, in the city’s old quarter. At least 100 workers were sleeping inside the factory – Azad Market. Officials said that 43 of them were killed.
According to a local fire chief, the building was operating illegally as a factory and didn’t have a proper fire licence. The owner of this factory, Rehan, had been arrested. Indian cities are known for their deadly fires due to poor planning and lax enforcement of safety regulations.
We don’t know what caused the blaze but an investigation has been ordered. Eyewitnesses suggested a short circuit.
The factory is located in a web of narrow alleyways, which made it difficult to reach the blaze. That’s why firefighters had to carry out victims on their shoulders one-by-one to get them out of there.
Rajesh Shukla, one firefighter, rescued 11 people while suffering from injuries himself. He was acclaimed as a hero.
Ronak Khan, a 17-year-old living next to the factory said: « We woke up with cries and shouts for help. » « I saw people trapped. We asked them to come to the rooftop so that we could rescue them but they were not able to come up. »
A man, Mohammed Haider, lost his brother who worked in the factory: “I had never thought that my brother would be separated from me this way. Even when the fire started, he called me and said, ‘Brother, please save me’. But I could not save him.”
Another man had a brother who works in the factory: “I got a call from his friend informing that he has been injured in the incident. I have no clue which hospital he has been taken to”, he said.
Several Indian politicians have been expressing their horror about the blaze.
“The fire (…) is extremely horrific » « My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a quick recovery.” tweeted Prime Minister Modi.
Amit Shah, Home Minister said that is a “tragic loss of precious lives”.
Incendie d’une usine à Delhi
Le samedi 8 décembre, à Delhi, les pompiers ont reçu un appel concernant un feu à 05 :22 (heure locale).
L’incendie s’est déclaré dans un immeuble de quatre étages, dans le vieux quartier de la ville. Au moins 100 ouvriers dormaient à l’intérieur de l’usine – Azad Market. Selon les autorités, 43 d’entre eux ont été tués.
D’après un chef pompier local, l’immeuble fonctionnait illégalement en tant qu’ usine et n’avait pas de normes incendie en règle. Son propriétaire, Rehan, a été arrêté.
Les villes indiennes sont connues pour leurs incendies mortels dus à une mauvaise planification et à une application laxiste des règles de sécurité.
La cause de l’incendie n’a pas encore été déterminée mais une enquête a été ordonnée. Des témoins ont suggéré un court-circuit.
L’usine est située dans un réseau de ruelles étroites, ce qui rendait difficile l’accès à l’incendie. C’est pourquoi les pompiers ont dû porter les victimes sur leurs épaules une par une pour les sortir de là.
Rajesh Shukla, un pompier, a sauvé 11 personnes alors qu’il souffrait lui-même de blessures. Il a été acclamé comme un héros.
Ronak Khan, un jeune de 17 ans vivant à côté de l’usine a dit : « Nous nous sommes réveillés avec des cris et des appels à l'aide. » « J'ai vu des gens piégés. Nous leur avons demandé de venir sur le toit pour que nous puissions les secourir, mais ils n'ont pas pu monter. »
Un homme, Mohammed Haider, a perdu son frère qui travaillait à l’usine : « Je n’avais jamais pensé que mon frère serait séparé de moi de cette façon. » « Même quand le feu a débuté, il m’a appelé et m’a dit ‘Mon frère, s’il te plaît, sauve-moi.’ Mais je n’ai pas pu le sauver. »
Un autre homme a un frère qui travaille à l’usine : « J’ai reçu un appel de son ami m’informant qu’il avait été blessé. Je n’ai aucune idée de l’hôpital où il a été emmené » a-t-il dit.
Plusieurs politiciens indiens ont exprimé leur horreur au sujet de l’incendie.
« Cet incendie (…) est terrible. » « Mes pensées vont à ceux qui ont perdu leurs proches. Je souhaite un prompt rétablissement aux blessés », a tweeté le Premier ministre Modi.
Amit Shah, ministre de l’Intérieur, a déclaré qu’il s’agit d’une « perte tragique de vies précieuses. »
Eva V.
Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50703659
