HYDERABAD — At least nine people died after a fire broke out at a hydro-electric power plant in the southern Indian state of Telangana, according to local media reports on Friday. According to the reports, the fire broke out late on Thursday night, trapping workers. The bodies were found during a search for employees working underground at the Srisailam plant, the Telangana State Power Generation Corporation said. The power corporation said in a statement that there were 17 employees inside the building at the time. "Eight of them managed to come out of the station with injuries, nine others remained trapped inside as they were trying their best to put out the fire and save the power plant from being burned completely," the statement said. "All of them tried to come out of the escape tunnel, but they did not succeed due to the thick plumes of smoke that engulfed the entire tunnel." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on Twitter. "Fire at the Srisailam hydroelectric plant is deeply unfortunate. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest," he said. The state chief minister, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, has ordered a probe into the incident. He has also announced financial and other benefits to the families of those who died in the accident. The chief minister has also announced one job each to families of the deceased. Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, an ally of the ruling party in the state, also expressed his condolences. “My condolences to the families of TSGENCO employees who lost their lives in today"s mishap at Srisailam Hydel Power station. I pray that injured make a full & speedy recovery. My constituent, Asst Engineer Uzma Fatima a resident of Malakpet also lost her life in the accident,” Owaisi said in a tweet.” I pray that Allah gives Uzma"s family sabr in this difficult time. @TelanganaCMO has announced ex-gratia of Rs 25L to the deceased"s families & compassionate appointment for a relative of the deceased. The deceased"s last salary will be treated as their pension,” he added. — Agencies