India, May 3 -- Indian PM Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in a fire incident in Shahdara, describing it as "extremely distressing."

"The loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Delhi's Shahdara district is extremely distressing. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," Modi said in a statement posted on the official PMO India X account.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.

At least nine people were killed and two others injured after a massive fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in Vivek...