Sun May 18 09:50:27 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

A devastating fire in the Gulzar Houz area of Hyderabad on May 18, 2025, claimed the lives of 17 people. The aftermath was marked by grief and chaos at the Osmania General Hospital mortuary, as families arrived to claim the bodies of their loved ones. Several families are blaming the emergency response. Government officials, including ministers and the Prime Minister, have offered condolences and financial assistance, and promised an investigation into the incident.

**News Article:**

**Hyderabad Fire Tragedy: Grief Grips City as Families Claim Victims’ Bodies**

**Hyderabad, May 18, 2025** – The Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad became the focal point of immense grief and despair today as families gathered to claim the bodies of the 17 victims of a devastating fire in the Gulzar Houz area. Ambulances carrying the deceased arrived throughout the morning, turning the hospital mortuary into a scene of overwhelming sorrow.

The fire, which occurred earlier today, prompted an immediate response from city officials. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other political leaders have expressed shock and grief over the tragedy, urging officials to take swift action.

Emotions ran high outside the mortuary, with families, barred from entering, seeking comfort in each other. Sunil Modi, who lost 10 family members, expressed his devastation. Ankit Jain, who lost three relatives, recounted the horror of receiving news of the fire after missing an early morning call from his sister-in-law.

Senior ministers, including Ponnam Prabhakar, Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, visited the hospital to console the families and expedite the handover of bodies for last rites.

Several families voiced serious concerns about the speed of the emergency response. In response to the allegations, the state government has promised a full inquiry into the incident. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C.V. Anand and GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan are coordinating with hospital officials and ministers to manage the situation and support the affected families.

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