Thick smoke billows out of the three-storey building in Lucknow's Aliganj area, triggering panic among students and local residents

The blaze rapidly engulfs parts of the multi-storey structure, which housed a coaching centre along with a library, computer training institute, animation centre and a pet shop

Firefighters and police personnel rush to the scene as hundreds gather outside the building, anxiously watching rescue operations unfold

Eight fire tenders are deployed to the scene as emergency teams battle flames and heavy smoke that make access to the upper floors extremely difficult

Firefighters break through a wall of the building to create an alternative access route and evacuate trapped students

Students trapped inside the smoke-filled structure wait for help as emergency teams begin searching floor by floor for survivors

With exits blocked by smoke, some students leap from upper floors in a desperate bid to save their lives, sustaining injuries before being rushed to hospital

Injured students are rushed to ambulances before being taken to hospitals, including KGMU's Trauma Centre, for urgent medical treatment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses grief over the tragedy and announces an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the families of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for the injured

As rescue efforts continue, officials confirm multiple casualties. Most of those who lost their lives are reported to be between 20 and 24 years old

Emergency teams install exhaust fans to clear dense smoke and improve visibility during the prolonged rescue operation

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak reviews rescue operations and receives updates from firefighters at the scene

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cuts short his visit to Aligarh and returns to Lucknow, directing officials to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.