The building housed a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel above. Firefighters deployed eight fire engines to contain the blaze and rescued more than 40 people, who were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Authorities said the cause of the fire was not immediately known and an investigation is underway.

Television images showed thick smoke engulfing the building as trapped occupants called for help from windows. Local residents joined emergency crews in rescue efforts, helping evacuate people and carry the injured to safety.

Local media reported that some of those killed were foreign nationals who had traveled to India for medical treatment and were staying in nearby accommodations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees ($2,088) for the families of those killed.

The incident is the latest in a series of deadly fires in India, where safety violations and poor enforcement of building regulations remain a recurring concern.