By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India

At least 17 people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday when a fire broke out at a hotel in the Indian capital New Delhi, emergency officials said.

Virendra Singh, deputy fire chief, confirmed the death toll to Anadolu Agency adding that two of the injured have been kept in the hospital for observation.

He said they received a phone call in the wee hours of Tuesday after which fire tenders were rushed to the area. Thirty-five people were rescued.

"The rescue operation is over now," he added.

The hotel located in the congested Karol Bagh area is often thronged by tourists.

Local media reported most people were sleeping and many died due to suffocation.

"Video recorded on cellphones by eye-witnesses showed huge flames crowning the terrace of the large, white building,” local broadcaster NDTV said.