At least 18 people were rescued from the fire which broke out in the 13-story Ashirwad Tower in Dhanbad city.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be known. We are focusing on rescue. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital,” police chief Sanjiv Kumar said.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire in Dhanbad. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon: PM,” Modi tweeted. (ILKHA)