At least 43 people were killed after a fire broke out at a factory in Delhi, India on Sunday, according to local media reports.

Smoke inhalation was the primary cause of death for the majority of victims, local media reported.

The incident occurred at 5:22 a.m. local time on Sunday.

A team of India's National Disaster Response Force arrived at the scene. A total of 50 people have been rescued and sent to four separate hospitals for treatment.

After the incident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter:  

"The fire in Delhi's Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road is extremely horrific. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a quick recovery. Authorities are providing all possible assistance at the site of the tragedy." 

The factory was making handbags and large quantities of raw material were stored inside the building causing the fire to spread quickly, Reuters reported.

The fire was reportedly ignited after a short circuit in the electric meter of the factory where 200 workers had been sleeping, according to local media. 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a financial relief of one million Indian Rupees (approximately 14,300 U.S. dollars) to the families of those dead, and 100,000 Indian Rupees (approximately 1,430 U.S. dollars) for the injured.

(Cover: India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) head towards the site of a fire that swept through a factory where laborers were sleeping, in Delhi, India, December 8, 2019. /Reuters Photo)