New Delhi, Nov 20: At least 14 eunuchs were killed and 40 others injured when a major fire swept through a community hall in an east Delhi locality where a congregation of the trans gender community was taking place. The incident took place at around 7 PM when around 1000 eunuchs from across the capital had gathered for a festival. 14 people died in the incident and over 40 were injured and rushed to various hospitals, police and hospital authorities said.

The fire, which started in the kitchen, spread through the premises and destroyed the tents which had been put up for the congregation. As the fire spread, people ran helter-skelter searching for a safe zone but many got trapped in the fire and lost their lives, police said.

Locals said they heard the huge cries of people and came out and saw that the entire community hall premises engulfed in flames. The locals also tried extricate trapped people till the police and fire service personnel came and began the rescue operations.

The congregation, which has been going on for the past three days, had begun at around 1 PM on Sunday and the participants were dancing and enjoying the evening when the fire took place. Sunday was the last day of the congregation.

Fire brigade official said 14 bodies have been recovered and 40 injured have been admitted to hospitals. Hospital authorities feared that the toll could go up further because many of the injured have suffered grievous burn injuries. Delhi government ordered a thorough probe into the fire incident. Delhi Health Minister A K Walia said Deputy Commissioner(Revenue) of East Delhi J P Sharma has been asked to invesitage the incident and file his report to the state government at the earliest.