The death toll in the roof collapse incident in the Ghaziabad district of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state has reached 23, officials said on Sunday evening.

A rescue operation was launched in the Muradnagar area of Ghaziabad after the roof of a crematorium collapsed due to rain. Those who died were at the site to attend the funeral.​​​​​​​

"The total death toll is now 23. There were a total of 38 people present at the site when the incident occurred. Injured were shifted to the hospitals," divisional commissioner Anita C Meshram told Anadolu Agency.

She said that an inquiry is underway and after completion, it will be sent to the state government. 

Dr. Anurag Bhargava, the chief medical superintendent of MMG district hospital in Ghaziabad, told Anadolu Agency that the hospital received 19 bodies.

Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police Kalanidhi Naithani said that according to the initial reports 25-30 people were trapped in the area. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind have expressed grief over the incident./aa