15 students killed as building catches fire in India

By Shuriah Niazi

New Delhi (AA) - At least 15 students were killed in a massive fire that broke out at a commercial complex in the western Indian city of Surat on Friday.

The students jumped off a commercial complex after it caught fire on Friday, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel told local news agency Press Trust of India.

According to the agency, several students of a coaching center were seen jumping off the multi-story building. The fire engulfed the third and fourth floor of a complex. The exact cause of the fire is still not known.

Responding to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a Twitter post: “Extremely anguished by the fire tragedy in Surat. My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Have asked the Gujarat Government and local authorities to provide all possible assistance to those affected."