Moscow: At least 28 people, including 18 foreign students, were killed and 78 others were injured early today (November 24) in a blaze that swept through a University hostel in Moscow forcing residents to jump from windows to escape smoke and flames, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said.

The fire broke in the five-storey hostel of the People's Friendship University at 23:30 PM GMT (05:00 PM IST) where many foreign students study, the Ministry's Information department told ITAR-TASS news agency.

Around 200 people were evacuated from the building emanating thick smoke. The flames were brought under control some three hours after the incident.

Though the Emergency Situations Ministry did not specify the nationalities of the victims, the Interfax newsagency earlier reported 18 foreign students were killed, including those from China, Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Besides injuries from burns and smoke inhalation, most of the residents suffered from broken limbs and head injuries when they jumped from the building to escape the fire.

The University was set up in 1960 to train students from Third World countries and is still frequented by youth from developing countries.

PTI