World leaders express condolences over Indian temple fire tragedy

World leaders have sent condolences to India after a temple fire killed at least 110 people and wounded hundreds of others in the small hours on Sunday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the inferno was "heart-rending and shocking," and he headed to Kerala to meet the injured in a special Indian Air Force flight, along with a team of 15 specialist doctors from capital New Delhi.

Modi described the accident as "a shock beyond words" and said his thought and prayers went to the victims of the tragedy.

Messages of condolences have poured in from around the world as well.

Britain's Prince William and his wife said through a spokesman that they were "saddened by the news" after arriving in India on Sunday for an official tour.

"Catherine and I would like to offer our condolences to all those affected by the terrible fire at the temple," said William at a gala ball held in Mumbai.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the people and the government of Pakistan express their deep condolences on the loss of precious lives from a fire breakout in the temple.

"Our sympathies are with the bereaved families. We wish early recovery to all injured people," said the statement.

The fire was caused by festive firework at the famous Puttingal Devi temple in Paravur, Kollam of the southern Indian state Kerala at around 3:00 a.m. local time (2130 GMT Saturday) when people were celebrating with fireworks and crackers.

The flames engulfed part of the temple premises, where some 10,000 to 15,000 people, mostly women and children, gathered for fireworks performance, according to Indian officials. Endi