At Least 17 Killed in India Building Fire

 People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
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At Least 17 Killed in India Building Fire

 People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)

At least 17 people died after a fire ripped through a building in the Indian city of Hyderabad, local officials said Sunday.  

The large blaze broke out early Sunday morning in a three-storey building which houses a jewellery store.  

A statement from the fire disaster response emergency and civil defense department in southern Telangana state, where Hyderabad is located, said they had received the call for help just after 6 am local time (00:30 GMT).  

"The fire broke out on the ground floor and spread to the upper floors. Firefighting, search & rescue operations were carried out simultaneously," it said.

The statement also listed the names of 17 individuals who lost their lives.  

"The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation," it said.  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his "deep grief" over the loss of life and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (around $2,300) to the next of kin of each victim.

"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana," Modi said in a statement released by his office.  

"Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon."  

Fires are common in India due to poor building practices, overcrowding and a lack of adherence to safety regulations.  

Last month, a fierce fire broke out in a hotel in Kolkata, killing at least 15 people. Some people clambered out of windows and onto the rooftop to escape.  

And last year, least 24 people died after a fire broke out at a packed amusement park arcade in the western state of Gujarat.



Russian Air Defenses Destroy Ukrainian Drone Headed for Moscow, Mayor Says

 A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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Russian Air Defenses Destroy Ukrainian Drone Headed for Moscow, Mayor Says

 A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
A view of Kremlin tower with backdrops of the Moscow City business center, during a stormy weather in Moscow, Russia July 14, 2025. (Reuters)

Russian air defenses destroyed a Ukrainian drone headed for Moscow late on Thursday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Sobyanin, writing on the Telegram messaging app, made no mention of casualties or damage, but said specialists were examining the area where drone fragments fell to the ground. Sobyanin said on Wednesday three drones had been intercepted.

The federal aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, briefly ordered the suspension of operations at two airports near the capital, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky, but operations were later resumed.

Russia's Defense Ministry said air defense units had destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones over a period extending four hours in the evening, including the single drone over the Moscow region.

Most of the others were downed in areas near Ukraine, including 31 over Bryansk region and 10 over Crimea, a region annexed by Russia since 2014.