Deadly Fire at Lucknow Animation Center Kills at Least Eight

A devastating fire swept through an animation training center in Lucknow, the capital of India's Uttar Pradesh state, killing at least eight people on Monday. Authorities confirmed the fatalities, while local media reports suggested the death toll could be as high as 14, with most of the victims being students.

The blaze erupted in the Aliganj area, engulfing the building in flames. Dramatic television footage captured the harrowing scene, including a person leaping from the first floor to escape the inferno. Emergency responders were seen carrying bodies as a crowd gathered nearby.

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This is a major incident, it's very saddening.

State Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak described the incident as "a major incident, it's very saddening." He noted that the center provided training in animation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating on X, formerly Twitter, "Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow. My condolences to the bereaved families." The tragedy comes just weeks after a fire at a Delhi hotel claimed over 20 lives, intensifying concerns about fire safety standards in the nation's capital and other major cities.

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Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow. My condolences to the bereaved families.