Story highlights
The fire broke out during a transgender gathering in New Delhi
An official estimated more than 2,000 people were at the gathering
Another official said an electrical short circuit was thought to have caused the blaze
At least 13 people at a transgender gathering in New Delhi were killed Sunday in a massive fire, officials said.
The city’s fire chief, A.K. Sharma, told CNN that more than 40 people were also injured as the blaze ripped through a makeshift marquee at the venue.
Sharma put the number of participants at at the gathering at more than 2,000.
But two people who had attended the gathering put the number of attendees at twice that estimate, and said the venue was packed with people.
New Delhi’s health minister, A.K. Walia, said an electrical short circuit was believed to have caused the blaze.