Lucknow, June 22 -- The death toll in the Lucknow coaching institute fire in the Aliganj area on Monday rose to 15, with medical experts stating that most of the deaths in the incident were caused by suffocation.

Speaking to ANI, Prem Raj Singh, MS King George Medical University (KGMU) said, "15 people were already dead when they were brought to the hospital. The bodies have been sent to the mortuary for post-mortem. 7-8 other people were also brought in. Two of them sustained minor injuries. One young man appears to have suffered a spinal injury; our doctors are currently treating him."

"Another young woman has an injury to her leg, and she is being examined as well. They all appear to be around 25-27 years old. Most of the deaths were...